1. Hard Conversations: Salaries, Success, Support
Students are introduced to an example of an entry level job offer and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of company provided support, including but not limited to their earning potential, investment options, retirement support, time off and more. They are encouraged to think deeply about how their personal value and worth are not tied to any amount of money made and how to best advocate for themselves with a new employer. This helps foster a culture of salary transparency and getting comfortable with discussing money among peers.
2. Hard Conversations: What it Means to be First Generation
First generation students come from all types of backgrounds – their only universality being that they are maybe the first in their nuclear family to reap the benefits of a college experience. This means they are likely to interact with, manage and describe their personal financial situation in unique ways. We cover the specific challenges that first generation students statistically, face more often than legacy students. Students are encouraged to consider and think over the ways in which their first-generation experience shapes the financial decisions they make while here and where they might be able to find guidance in situations that are new or unknown in their family systems.
3. Hard Conversations: Finding and Securing Housing
An in-depth presentation about preparing to move into off campus housing, maintaining this housing and making sure you are protecting yourself against financial liability. This presentation covers the more severe consequences of mismanaging off-campus housing like evictions, credit scores and houseless-ness and more emotional aspects such as sharing housing with friends, splitting the bill and more. Presentation goers are provided resources and time to self-reflect on the measures they may already be taken or assistance planning for their next steps.
4. Hard Conversations: The Cost of Higher Education
Students who may need extra assistance understanding their financial aid and other financial resources at Syracuse University. A brief overview of what goes into a financial aid award letter, understanding federal loans, private loans, and parent options as well as other outside money sources such as grants, scholarships, and state aid. Students are given the option to ask questions about financial aid related programs, how taking advantage of other campus resources might affect their aid and more.
5. Hard Conversations: Breaking Barriers
(Final Presentation Only) A thirty-minute presentation about the importance of financial literacy education and programming in helping to dismantle financial barriers to higher education and after graduation. Students who have participated in the series are encouraged to meet with a Smart Money Peer counselor, guided through our online resources and community tools and allowed 10-15 minutes for follow-up questions.
Must select a minimum of 3