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SMMC News & Events Blog
This blog highlights news, events, and informative articles on personal finance from University of Illinois System's Student Money Management Center. Feel free to navigate to different categories with the list of topics on the right or search for a specific topic next to the view all link below.

blog posts

  • Podcast: 529 Day

    by Andrea PellegriniMay 29, 2025 12:00 pm

    In episode 111 of Making Cents of Money, we're celebrating 529 day with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer who manages two nationally acclaimed 529 qualified tuition programs: Bright Start & Bright Directions.

  • Summer Webinar: Cash at College - Saving, Spending and Student Loans

    by Andrea PellegriniMay 20, 2025 4:00 pm

    Cash at College is a webinar for all students headed to college this fall as well as their families. This webinar is designed to cover the very basics of banking, budgeting, credit, student loans, and keeping financial information secure as you transition to life on campus.

  • Podcast: Federal Student Loan Updates [Involuntary Debt Collection Resumes]

    by Andrea PellegriniMay 12, 2025 12:00 pm

    In episode 110 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins Kimber & Andrea again to discuss the US Department of Education's resumption of involuntary debt collection on defaulted federal student loans.

  • More Than Money: What to Consider in a Job Offer Package

    by Sophie Kunkel, edited by Andrea PellegriniMay 1, 2025 4:00 pm

    There are more things to consider with a job offer than salary. Read this article to learn how to evaluate the true value of a job position. 

  • Webinar Recording: Money & Happiness

    by SMMC StaffMay 1, 2025 1:00 pm

    Can money buy happiness? Watch our webinar recording from May 1 to explore the relationship between money and happiness. 

  • What Are Out-of-Pocket Costs?

    by Elisabeth Duka, edited by Andrea PellegriniApr 29, 2025 8:15 pm

    When it comes to healthcare, it's hard to keep track of out-of-pocket costs and how it can impact our overall healthcare expenses in a given year. This article sheds light on this complicated topic so you can make more informed choices for your overall wellbeing and your wallet.

  • Roth vs Traditional Retirement Plans: What’s the Difference?

    by Andrea Pellegrini & Richard Owusu-CyrusApr 22, 2025 12:00 pm

    When it comes to retirement-focused investing, understanding the tax treatment and rules of different accounts is essential for long-term financial planning. In the U.S., these typically fall into two main categories: Traditional and Roth accounts.

  • Podcast: Avoiding Job Scams

    by Andrea PellegriniApr 21, 2025 12:00 pm

    In episode 109 of Making Cents of Money, Kwabena Adjei, our own SMMC Support Specialist, joins Kimber and Andrea to explain how to avoid job scams based research he did for his recent blog post.

  • Fact Check Your Debt Challenge - Spring 2025

    by SMMC StaffApr 9, 2025 2:00 pm

    There have been a lot of changes recently that impact student loan borrowers. Can you tell myth from fact in the sea of student loan misinformation? Take the Fact Check Your Debt Quiz by May 1, 2025, to find out.

  • Podcast: [Filing a] Tax Deadline Extension

    by Andrea PellegriniApr 7, 2025 12:00 pm

    In episode 108 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea discuss how to file for an extension if you won't meet the April 15th tax-filing deadline.