SMMC News & Events Blog

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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

What's Your Job Worth? - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Oct 27, 2021 1:00 pm1 views

Explore with us how job benefits can add up to big dollars. Walk into your new job ready to make informed choices that can significantly increase your net worth.
Webinar Recording: Your Financial Tool Chest

Dec 6, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

Unlock the power of financial tools! Explore the best services for your goals, safety, and cost-efficiency.
Webinar Recording: Taxes for International Students

Jan 23, 2025 1:00 pm0 views

Are you an international student navigating U.S. taxes? Watch Taxes for International Students January 23, 2025, to learn the key rules to stay compliant.
Webinar Recording: Tackling Tax Basics

Jan 16, 2025 1:00 pm0 views

Get ready for tax season! Watch Tackling Tax Basics from January 16, 2025, to learn the basics of tackling taxes. Understand essential concepts to confidently manage your taxes.
Webinar Recording: Student Loan Management

Apr 3, 2024 1:00 pm3 views

Learn how to navigate your student loan journey. Understand crucial terms, tips, and tools for managing your education debt.
Webinar Recording: Steps to Investing - What to Know Now

Feb 7, 2024 1:00 pm1 views

Ready to start investing? Learn investing basics and explore new trends in securities.
Webinar Recording: Spooked by Spending Plans?

Oct 11, 2023 1:00 pm4 views

Discover spending motivations and find money management tools that work for you to face your financial fears.
Webinar Recording: Side Hustles & Small Business

Oct 3, 2024 1:00 pm0 views

Turn your passion into profit! Explore the world of Side Hustles and Small Businesses on YouTube to learn how to start, manage, and grow your entrepreneurial ventures.
Webinar Recording: Save Money on Food

Mar 6, 2024 1:00 pm0 views

Hungry for savings? Uncover tricks for affordable dining. Say goodbye to overspending and hello to tasty savings.
Webinar Recording: Read Before You Sign

Sep 6, 2023 1:00 pm0 views

Get savvy about renting & leasing! Understand your rights & responsibilities when it comes to renting a place to live.
Webinar Recording: Money, Stress, & Bad Habits

May 1, 2024 1:00 pm4 views

Understand the connection between money, stress, and bad habits. Learn strategies to manage stress, break free from detrimental financial behaviors, and cultivate a healthier relationship with money.
Webinar Recording: Money In Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit

Jan 24, 2024 1:00 pm1 views

Master your finances as an entrepreneur. Learn best practices for money management while building your business.
Webinar Recording: Mastering the Consumer Credit Game

Dec 5, 2024 1:00 pm2 views

Watch Mastering the Consumer Credit Game on YouTube to learn how to build, manage, and protect your credit, a crucial financial tool in the game of life.
Webinar Recording: Investing 102 - Risks & Rewards

Feb 20, 2025 1:00 pm0 views

ake your investing knowledge to the next level! Watch Investing 102 to learn advanced concepts and key tips for successful investing.
Webinar Recording: Investing 101 - Wealth Building Basics

Feb 6, 2025 1:00 pm0 views

Want to start investing? Watch Investing 101: Wealth Building Basics to learn basic investing terms and concepts to confidently begin your investment journey.
Webinar Recording: Don't Get Phished

Nov 8, 2023 1:00 pm1 views

Stay one step ahead of scams and fraud! Learn ways to protect yourself, recognize identity theft, and take action if affected.
Webinar Recording: Demystifying the Financial Aid Process

Aug 22, 2024 1:00 pm10 views

Unlock the secrets of financial aid. Learn how to maximize your financial aid package and ease the burden of tuition. Join us to navigate the complex world of financial aid with confidence.
Webinar Recording: Cash at College

Aug 16, 2023 1:00 pm1 views

Discover how spending, saving, and student loans impact your college experience.
Webinar Recording: Building, Protecting, & Leaving Your Nest Egg

Nov 7, 2024 1:00 pm0 views

Plan your legacy with confidence. Watch Building, Protecting, & Leaving Your Nest Egg to learn essential concepts of asset management across the life span. Build, protect, and leave your nest egg for future generations.
Webinar Recording: Budget Hacks

Sep 12, 2024 1:00 pm0 views

Ready to save more and spend smarter? Discover practical tips and tricks to make your money go further and achieve your financial goals by watching Budget Hacks on YouTube.
Virtual Financial Education

Mar 18, 2020 1:00 pm266 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.
UISAVES Week 3: Building Financial Habits

Feb 29, 2020 11:30 am51 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.
UISAVES Week 2: Small Amounts Add Up

Feb 22, 2020 11:30 am89 views

An important part of building a savings habit is understanding how small amounts add up.
UISAVES Week 1: Goal-setting

Feb 16, 2020 11:30 am129 views

A strong foundation to any financial plan are goals. Set a goal with #UISAVES to connect with resources to help. universityillinoissaves.org
Top 5 Financial Reminders for International Students

Jun 1, 2020 5:45 pm164 views

Tuition & fees will be due before you know it, so here are the top 5 financial reminders for International Students.
Things to Keep in Mind with Financial Aid Offers

Jun 25, 2024 8:00 am38 views

Financial Aid Notifications or Award Letters can be difficult to compare. Read about what to keep in mind while reviewing them and learn about the CFPB's tool to compare them when planning out how to fund your degree.
The Power of Financial Education: A Key to Success for College Students

Sep 25, 2024 12:30 pm1345 views

Financial education is essential for college students, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to make informed financial decisions that will not only enhance their college experience but also pave the way for long-term success.
Tackling Taxes - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Jan 27, 2021 1:00 pm30 views

Taxes are complicated, whether you’re a first time filer or have been filing for years. How do you know if you’re required to file? What are deductions and credits? Why are there so many forms, and what are they for? Join us as we walk you through the basics of taxes and provide resources to help you file for free.
Summer 2020 #UIMoney Tweet Chat Series

Jun 2, 2020 12:30 pm78 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.
Student Loans Webinar #8 Recording: Different Types of Student Loans

Feb 16, 2024 1:00 pm10 views

It's important to know the types of loans that you have in order to understand your repayment and other student loan management options.
Student Loans Webinar #7 Recording: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Jan 19, 2024 1:00 pm12 views

Learn if you can qualify for PSLF as a federal student loan borrower working in public service.
Student Loans Webinar #6 Recording: Managing PLUS Loans

Dec 15, 2023 1:00 pm7 views

We explored the unique features of Direct Parent PLUS loans and Graduate PLUS loans. Direct Parent PLUS loans have more unique repayment considerations than all other types of Direct Loans.
Student Loans Webinar #5 Recording: Fresh Start & On-Ramp to Repayment

Nov 17, 2023 1:00 pm9 views

We discussed both the On-Ramp to Repayment and the Fresh Start Program during this webinar. If you had loans previously in Default, the Fresh Start program may be a good program for you.
Student Loans Webinar #4 Recording: Know Options if You Can't Pay

Oct 20, 2023 1:00 pm8 views

We focused on what your options are if you can't make a payment, including the differences between deferment and forbearance.
Student Loans Webinar #3 Recording: Review Consolidation or Refinancing

Sep 15, 2023 1:00 pm4 views

We discussed interest and the differences between consolidating and refinancing your student loans. Carefully consider the consequences of using a private refinance loan to pay off federal student loans.
Student Loans Webinar #2 Recording: Explore Repayment Plans with the Loan Simulator

Aug 18, 2023 1:00 pm6 views

We explained the many repayment plan options available for federal loans, but the primary action item we wanted you to focus on was using the Loan Simulator to explore repayment plan eligibility.
Student Loans Webinar #1 Recording: Logging into FSA to Update Contact Info

Jul 14, 2023 1:00 pm8 views

We discussed many aspects of returning to repayment during this webinar, but the primary action item we focused on was updating your contact info in your FSA account.
Student Loan Repayment - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Apr 14, 2021 1:00 pm10 views

There are 8 repayment plans for federal student loans, 10 federal student loan servicers, and an abundance of terms, tools, and tips to remember to manage federal, institutional, and private student loans. Watch our Student Loan Repayment webinar recording to learn about your options as a borrower.
Student Loan Repayment - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

May 18, 2022 1:00 pm0 views

Learn about managing student loan repayment once it restarts and the limited time PSLF waiver by watching this webinar recording from May 18, 2022.
Student Loan Management - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

May 3, 2023 1:00 pm1 views

Explore methods of student loan management by watching this webinar recording from May 3, 2023.
Steps to Investing - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Jan 26, 2022 1:00 pm0 views

Learn more advanced concepts to take steps to investing from this webinar recording from January 26, 2022.
Spend Less, Travel More - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Dec 7, 2022 1:00 pm4 views

Learn about how to spend less to travel more by watching this webinar recording from December 7, 2022.
Side Hustles & Small Businesses - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Oct 26, 2022 1:00 pm4 views

Learn about side hustles & small businesses by watching this webinar recording from October 26, 2022.
Setting Goals for Your Well-being

Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am4230 views

Explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the dimensions of well-being can help you set, prioritize, and manage your SMART goals.
Seasonal Themes: Get More Done with a Mindset Shift

Jan 29, 2021 11:00 am567 views

Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme!
Saving Up for a Side Hustle

May 12, 2023 1:00 pm54 views

To complement our Side Hustles & Small Businesses webinar from last fall, we wanted to share some tips on saving up for starting a small business.
Save Money on Food - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

Feb 24, 2021 1:00 pm1 views

At the end of a busy day, when you’re hungry and tired, do you go home knowing you’re all set to prepare a tasty, healthy dinner? Are you happy with how much money you spend on food? Would you like to learn some tricks for eating well for less money? If any of these questions resonate with you, then How to Save on Food is the educational opportunity for you!
Practicing Self-Advocacy in Your Financial, Professional and Social Life

Mar 29, 2021 4:30 pm253 views

Self-advocacy is an important skill to practice, particularly right now. Whether it's getting the resources you need to succeed in school or setting boundaries with your loved ones so you can focus on your own well-being, it's important to communicate with others about your needs, wants, and struggles throughout your life.
Podcast: Zombie Properties & Mortgages

Oct 22, 2024 12:00 pm10 views

In episode 96 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Beyer from IDFPR's Division of Banking is back to discuss the dangers of zombie mortgages and zombie properties in this special halloween-themed edition.
Podcast: World Investor Week

Oct 4, 2023 12:00 pm26 views

In episode 71 of Making Cents of Money, World Investor Week, Andrea interviews Alan Sorcher and Anne McKinley from the US Securities & Exchange Commission in honor of World Investor Week on ways investors can learn about securities throughout the year.