blog posts6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm10 views Finding money for your education, especially grad school, can be more difficult now. Read the 6 considerations for finding funding during COVID-19 to learn about searching for fellowships. Budget Hacks - Get Savvy Webinar RecordingOct 21, 2020 1:00 pm0 views Money can be messy - it's not just about numbers, calculators and excel sheets. If you're looking for new ways to manage your money mess, we have the budget hacks for you! Learn how to take what we know about human behavior and choices to build better financial habits.Changes to Financial CoachingJun 15, 2020 2:45 pm107 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 FAFSANov 1, 2019 12:30 pm165 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.Conscious Credit - Get Savvy Webinar RecordingNov 11, 2020 1:00 pm0 views In the ever-changing credit market, how do you reconcile what you hear about credit to find accurate, credible information to help you make ethical and conscious borrowing decisions? This webinar explored the role of a responsible borrower, myths and facts about credit, and how building a positive credit profile can have lasting impacts on your overall financial well-being.Coronavirus Challenges Our Financial SecurityMar 18, 2020 11:45 am342 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 ServicesMar 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 MonsterOct 29, 2018 4:00 pm458 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!Exit Counseling is Live for Institutional Student Loan BorrowersOct 1, 2020 4:15 pm4 views If you borrowed institutional loans to pay for school and are graduating or leaving school soon, don't forget to complete your Exit Counseling to avoid a transcript hold!Expect the Unexpected: Saving For EmergenciesJan 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 QuizAug 30, 2019 4:00 pm2794 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.Financial Tools for Uncertain Times - Get Savvy Webinar RecordingSep 23, 2020 1:00 pm0 views Extraordinary times leads to uncertainty, especially with our finances. Join in our discussion to learn strategies for building positive financial habits during ordinary and uncertain times. Start the academic year strong and put these practical financial tips into action.Finding Funding Opportunities: Insights From a Current PhD StudentMar 13, 2019 3:00 pm50 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. Focus Your Spending with ListsNov 18, 2020 4:00 pm43 views Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending?Food Insecurity Takes on New Meaning in 2020Sep 25, 2020 1:00 pm33 views As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, we're reflect on how food insecurity has looked different in 2020 than in previous years. Friday the 13th! Financial Planning to Avoid Unlucky LossesMar 13, 2020 10:00 am72 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 StudentsOct 30, 2012 8:00 am415 views Funding New Year's FestivitiesDec 10, 2019 2:30 pm18 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 WebinarsJul 2, 2020 12:00 pm57 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 SeriesAug 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 SeriesSep 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 am112 views The Spring 2020 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff webinar series schedule is out. Register today and #GetSavvy.Good Food, Good MoodSep 19, 2019 12:30 pm271 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 pm24 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 LinkedInSep 13, 2019 2:00 pm135 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-19Mar 31, 2020 1:00 pm33 views Here are ways you can help support small businesses during COVID-19.How to Support Wellness While VirtualMar 18, 2020 4:15 pm149 views Learn ways to enhance your overall wellness in a virtual environment. INFOGRAPHIC - Coins of the United StatesSep 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 SurveyNov 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 pm16 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 ChallengeJun 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 ChallengeNov 15, 2020 12:00 pm70 views About 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 ChallengeDec 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 & RewardsDec 15, 2017 1:45 pm145 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.Overcoming Spending TemptationsNov 16, 2020 3:30 pm99 views Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season! Podcast: Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for YouSep 23, 2020 12:00 pm2 views Episode 2 of Making Cents of Money, Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for You, is all about defining unbanked/underbanked, the differences between banks & credit unions, and how to choose the right financial institution for you. Learn from Illinois' Director of Banking, Chasse Rehwinkel, and Director of Financial Institutions, Francisco Menchaca.Podcast: Fending Off FraudNov 19, 2020 12:00 pm10 views Episode 6 of Making Cents of Money, Fending Off Fraud, discusses what you need to know about the different types of fraud scamers use (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, how to prevent fraud, and what to do if you become a victim.Podcast: Financial Education and Financial LiteracyJan 14, 2021 12:00 pm4 views Episode 9 of Making Cents of Money, Financial Education and Financial Literacy, reviewed the state of financial literacy in the United States, programs for pre-K through high school students, and resources to help parents and teachers support learning about finances in a variety of ways.Podcast: Holiday Savings Tips and New Year's GoalsDec 17, 2020 12:00 pm2 views Episode 8 of Making Cents of Money, Holiday Savings Tips and New Year's Goals, explored tips to help prepare for a less stressful holiday season over the coming year as well as ways to set S.M.A.R.T. goals, be it financial or otherwise.Podcast Partnership Launching with Illinois Division of Financial & Professional Regulation!Aug 31, 2020 9:15 am62 views A new podcast launched today, Making Cents of Money, co-hosted by our very own Andrea Pellegrini and Illinois Division of Financial & Professional Regulation's Nikki Giancola-Shanks!Podcast: Preparing for RetirementFeb 24, 2021 12:00 pm0 views Episode 12 of Making Cents of Money, Preparing for Retirement, discussed the retirement savings crisis, the different types of retirement plans that exist, and the Secure Choice plan in Illinois. Listen to special guest, Courtney Eccles, from the Illinois Treasurer's Office to learn more about the Secure Choice program for small businesses in Illinois.Podcast: Preventing Identity TheftOct 22, 2020 12:00 pm0 views Episode 4 of Making Cents of Money, Preventing Identity Theft, looks at identity theft and fraud statistics as well as how we can protect our money from potential theft.Podcast: Saving for College with a 529 Savings PlanFeb 10, 2021 12:00 pm0 views Episode 11 of Making Cents of Money, Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan, explored 529 plans, including how they funciton, a bit on their history, and how they differ from other savings vehicles. Listen to special guests, Fernando Diaz and John MItchell, from the Illinois Treasurer's Office to learn more about options in Illinois.Podcast: TaxesJan 26, 2021 12:00 pm3 views Episode 10 of Making Cents of Money, Taxes, discussed common terms, forms, and considerations for filing taxes in preparation for our Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff webinar, Tackling Taxes, on 1/27. Podcast: Technology and Your MoneyOct 5, 2020 12:00 pm2 views Episode 3 of Making Cents of Money, Technology and Your Money, explores how financial technologies are evolving and what that means for keeping our money safe.Podcast: The Anti-Predatory Lending DatabaseDec 3, 2020 12:00 pm4 views Episode 7 of Making Cents of Money, The Anti-Predatory Lending Database, discusses predatory lending and the Anti-Predatory Lending Database (APLD) in Illinois. Katie Liss from IDFPR Division of Banking breaks down predatory lending in mortgages and how the APLD helps mitigate some predatory lending practices.Podcast: Understanding CreditNov 10, 2020 12:00 pm2 views Episode 5 of Making Cents of Money, Understanding Credit, explores the complicated world of credit to help demystify things like scores, reports, and credit management.Publications & Resources Addressing Consumer Needs in U.S. During COVID-19Apr 7, 2020 2:00 pm89 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.