SMMC News & Events

blog navigation

News
Sort by

blog posts

  • Changes to Financial Coaching

    Jun 15, 2020 2:45 pm37 views

    We're restructuring our services to better meet the needs of our stakeholders: students, their families, and employees across the University of Illinois System. Read about what that means for financial coaching!

  • Completing the FAFSA

    Nov 1, 2019 12:30 pm54 views

    The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as FAFSA, is “the largest source of financial aid to pay for college”. Read about important dates, tips & reminders for filing.

  • Coronavirus Challenges Our Financial Security

    Mar 18, 2020 11:45 am328 views

    We have defined a few financial terms to make it easier to stay up-to-date on how COVID-19 is impacting our finances.

  • COVID-19 Update: Changes to SMMC Services

    Mar 13, 2020 3:00 pm49 views

    All financial coaching appointments will be conducted via zoom, and no in-person events or presentations will be available through SMMC until further notice. Read on for details.

  • Defeat the Debt Monster

    Oct 29, 2018 4:00 pm450 views

    Students across the University of Illinois System are needed to Defeat the Debt Monster between October 1 – October 29 for a chance to win one of three $25 gift cards.

    Discover ways to defeat your personal debt monster!

  • Expect the Unexpected: Saving For Emergencies

    Jan 15, 2015 11:00 am2 views

    Planning for the unexpected can ensure that you are able to weather a financial hardship should you lose your job, have a car repair, or any other unplanned expense. By having savings set aside for emergencies, you decrease the need to rely on credit cards or loans to cover emergency situations. Your college years can be an ideal time to create and build your emergency savings.

  • Fall 2019 Understand Your Refund Quiz

    Aug 30, 2019 4:00 pm2782 views

    Hundreds of students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund.

    Learn how to avoid being one of them.

  • Financial Coaching Sessions - Get Your Money Questions Answered!

    Apr 3, 2017 8:00 am159 views

    Want help creating a financial plan? Have questions about student loans? Confused about your credit report? Schedule a financial coaching session today!

    Schedule a financial coaching session by contacting studentmoney@uillinois.edu with your name, university & questions today! 
     
    Complete our financial coaching survey prior to the financial coaching session.

  • Finding Funding Opportunities: Insights From a Current PhD Student

    Mar 13, 2019 3:00 pm28 views

    Funding is one of the biggest factors in determining what kind of financial decisions you make as a graduate student. Taking on federal student loans, using your employment to fund your degree, using your savings, getting help from family members, etc. We all want to make decisions that will benefit us most--and while the above are all good options depending on your individual situation, nothing beats “free money” like fellowships, assistantships, grants and scholarships. 

  • Friday the 13th! Financial Planning to Avoid Unlucky Losses

    Mar 13, 2020 10:00 am23 views

    Friday the 13th is often considered an unlucky day, but let's talk about how to improve your luck with personal finance!

  • Frugal Eating for Students

    Oct 30, 2012 8:00 am411 views

  • Funding New Year's Festivities

    Dec 10, 2019 2:30 pm16 views

    The best way to manage your finances on New Year’s Eve is to plan ahead and set a defined budget you are comfortable with. Read more tips to save while celebrating.

  • Get $avvy - Grow Your Green $tuff Webinars

    Jul 2, 2020 12:00 pm36 views

    The 2020-2021 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff annual webinar series schedule is out. Register today and #GetSavvy.

  • Get $avvy - Grow Your Green $tuff Webinar Series

    Aug 14, 2018 8:00 am201 views

    The 2018-2019 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff annual webinar series schedule is out. Register today and #GetSavvy.

  • Get $avvy - Grow Your Green $tuff Webinar Series

    Sep 18, 2019 8:00 am46 views

    The 2019-2020 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff annual webinar series schedule is out. Register today and #GetSavvy.

  • Get $avvy - Grow Your Green $tuff Webinar Series (Spring 2020)

    Jan 29, 2020 8:00 am108 views

    The Spring 2020 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff webinar series schedule is out. Register today and #GetSavvy.

  • Good Food, Good Mood

    Sep 19, 2019 12:30 pm188 views

    Is having to find consistent, affordable food always putting you in a bad mood?  Read our article about ways to fight food insecurity to learn of resources that can help.

  • How do people with vision impairments manage money?

    Jun 16, 2020 12:45 pm16 views

    Vision impairments can complicate how people manage their money. Learn about ways that people with reduced vision or blindness can be empowered to navigate finances on their own.

  • How to Add Digital Badges to LinkedIn

    Sep 13, 2019 2:00 pm111 views

    If you have a digital badge from the University of Illinois Digital Badges Program, you may have noticed that there's a new backpack system to use. Since the transition from Mozilla Backpack to Badgr Backpack, there's a new way to create collections that can be placed on LinkedIn. 

    We created a tutorial to help you display your badges on LinkedIn after you've transitioned to using Badgr.

  • How to Support Small Businesses During COVID-19

    Mar 31, 2020 1:00 pm33 views

    Here are ways you can help support small businesses during COVID-19.

  • How to Support Wellness While Virtual

    Mar 18, 2020 4:15 pm145 views

    Learn ways to enhance your overall wellness in a virtual environment. 

  • INFOGRAPHIC - Coins of the United States

    Sep 27, 2011 11:30 am807 views

    Check out this infographic on different US coins, including fun facts and how they are equal to $1 USD.

  • International Student Financial Wellness Survey

    Nov 1, 2018 10:00 pm263 views

    The University of Illinois Student Money Management Center developed a survey specifically for international students to learn about your unique financial struggles and habits because of how important you are to the community and enriching diversity for all three of our universities in the University of Illinois System. 

  • IOUs: There's an App for That!

    Oct 14, 2016 3:30 pm12 views

    Have you heard of Venmo? Squarecash? These are just a few of the apps that allow you to send money to anyone, anywhere, anytime.  From a convenience standpoint, these advances are amazing—but what are the costs of convenience?

  • Know What You Owe Challenge

    Jun 15, 2019 11:45 pm96 views

    Over half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge.

  • Know What You Owe Challenge

    Dec 15, 2019 11:45 pm130 views

    Over half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge.

  • Mobile Wallets: Know the Risks & Rewards

    Dec 15, 2017 1:45 pm125 views

    Mobile wallets are a digital way to keep your financial tools and resources in your mobile device. Learn more about the risks & rewards of mobile wallets so you can best protect your hard-earned money.

  • My Account is in Collections! Now What?

    Jul 26, 2015 12:00 pm35 views

    Tips to help you cope with & resolve accounts in collections.

  • Publications & Resources Addressing Consumer Needs in U.S. During COVID-19

    Apr 7, 2020 2:00 pm79 views

    We've compiled a list of federal websites & resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic that may be helpful in addressing some of your financial questions.

  • Spring 2019 Understand Your Refund Quiz

    Jan 15, 2019 9:45 am110 views

    Hundreds of students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund.

    Learn how to avoid being one of them.

  • Summer 2020 #UIMoney Tweet Chat Series

    Jun 2, 2020 12:30 pm71 views

    SMMC is hosting several tweet chats this summer to help our students, alumni, and friends prepare for a variety of financial transitions during a time filled with uncertainty.

  • Top 5 Financial Reminders for International Students

    Jun 1, 2020 5:45 pm52 views

    Tuition & fees will be due before you know it, so here are the top 5 financial reminders for International Students.

  • Top Tips for Tax-Filing

    Mar 1, 2017 8:00 am246 views

  • UISAVES 2020 runs February 16 - March 7!

    Feb 13, 2020 12:15 pm102 views

    The overall goal of UISAVES is to create a culture of savings at our three universities – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Illinois at Springfield. Read on to learn what we're doing for the 2020 campaign!

  • UISAVES Week 1: Goal-setting

    Feb 16, 2020 11:30 am47 views

    A strong foundation to any financial plan are goals. Set a goal with #UISAVES to connect with resources to help. universityillinoissaves.org

  • UISAVES Week 2: Small Amounts Add Up

    Feb 22, 2020 11:30 am79 views

    An important part of building a savings habit is understanding how small amounts add up. 

  • UISAVES Week 3: Building Financial Habits

    Feb 29, 2020 11:30 am46 views

    The reality of personal finance is that it is personal and requires behavior change. Learn ways to make behavior changes easier to accomplish your goals.

  • Understand Your Refund Challenge - Spring 2020

    Jan 23, 2020 4:00 pm128 views

    Hundreds of students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund.

    Learn how to avoid being one of them.

  • University of Illinois Saves 2019

    Feb 1, 2019 8:00 am37 views

    (Re)pledge a savings goal for UISAVES 2019!

  • Updated Workshop Request Policy

    Jan 2, 2020 8:00 am364 views

    We've updated our workshop request policy. Take a look!

    A link to our new request form is included.

  • Virtual Financial Education

    Mar 18, 2020 1:00 pm212 views

    We put together a list of ways you can enhance your financial knowledge through virtual means as well as a few tips if you're teaching online for the first time.

  • What is Money Management?

    Sep 1, 2010 8:00 am433 views

    Money management is the process of managing money. It includes investment, budgeting, banking and taxes. It is also called investment management.