April is National Financial Literacy Month, and Emory will offer a series of public events and a new online personal finance program aimed at highlighting the importance of financial literacy and practicing healthy financial habits.
The goal of Emory's Financal Literacy Program is to help Emory students, alumni, staff and faculty improve their understanding of financial concepts and services so that they’re empowered to make informed choices for their current and long-term financial well-being, says John Leach, director of Emory’s Office of Financial Aid.
“This year, we’ll be rolling out a new product we are using to help promote financial literacy — Salt, an online tool where students and alumni can find tutorials and up-to-date information about student loans and personal finance,” Leach says.
Offered in partnership with the nonprofit American Student Assistance and available online at www.saltmoney.org/Emory, Salt is a free, dynamic multi-channel educational program that teaches visitors how to borrow less for college, borrow the right types of loans, make repayment stress-free, apply for scholarships, and build money skills that will last a lifetime, he explains.
The program combines money management advice, personalized help with student loans and straightforward budgeting tools, including:
Interactive education modules to help users get up to speed on financial fundamentals, such as budgeting, banking, credit and taxes.
Plans that can help lower or temporarily pause student loan payments or even forgive student loans altogether.
Educational articles and advice on money-related topics, from credit cards to salaries and more.
Daily blogs that provide commentary and advice on loans, personal budgeting, careers and other financial topics in a fun, relatable format.
A simplified platform for information on where to find scholarships and different types of student loans, and ways to decrease college costs.
Access to an online community where users can talk with both experts and peers about money, student loans, scholarships and related topics.
Salt is offered through the Financial Literacy@Emory program in the Office of Financial Aid. Throughout April, the financial aid team will be working to highlight financial literacy and promote the importance of sound financial habits.
Other campus events will include:
Wednesday, April 5
- National Financial Literacy Month Kickoff Celebration,11 a.m., Wonderful Wednesday
- Alpha Phi Omega: “Financial Literacy 101," 6 p.m., Candler Library Room 124
Tuesday, April 11
- Alumni Relations hosts “Adulting 101: Personal Finances and Budgeting,” 5 p.m., Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Room 230
Friday, April 20
- Latino Student Organization and FLIP: Financial Literacy 101, 4:30 p.m., el Centro Latino
Thursday, April 27
- Loan Repayment Seminar, 12 p.m., DUC E338