Upcoming Events
Spring 2025 MAP (Money Awareness Program) Events can be found here.
Financial Literacy Week (April 7th to the 11th)
Monday, April 7
Budgeting Without Shame
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: TBD
Description: Budgeting is not just about tracking numbers; it’s about creating a plan that aligns with your needs, values, and lived experiences. This interactive workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of budgeting based on the Five Pillars of Financial Literacy: Earn, Save & Invest, Spend, Borrow, and Protect. The session will include a guided reflection on personal financial habits, a breakdown of a sample budget, and strategies to create a spending plan that accounts for financial trauma, cultural expectations, and systemic barriers that impact financial stability.
Students will learn:
- How to track income and expenses realistically.
- The difference between fixed and variable expenses without guilt.
- How to prioritize savings and self-care while meeting financial obligations.
- How to reframe budgeting as a flexible tool, not a restrictive one.
Your Financial Map – Building a Sustainable Budget
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: TBD
Description: This hands-on workshop is a follow-up to the budgeting presentation, helping students apply their learning. Participants will use budgeting worksheets or financial apps to create a working monthly budget based on their personal expenses.
Thriving as a First-Generation Professional: Navigating the Workforce with Confidence
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: TBD
Workshop Description: This workshop is designed to empower first-generation college students as they prepare to enter the professional workforce. Participants will explore practical strategies for overcoming challenges unique to first-gen professionals, such as navigating workplace dynamics, developing self-advocacy, and managing financial independence. The workshop will emphasize resilience, emotional wellness, and how personal experiences can be leveraged as strengths in the workplace.
Tuesday, April 8
Borrowing and Credit Confidence – Building a Strong Financial Future
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: TBD
Description: Student loans, credit cards, and debt can feel overwhelming, but when used strategically, they can also be powerful tools for financial growth. This interactive workshop will help students navigate borrowing responsibly, understand their credit score, and develop a plan to build credit without falling into financial traps.
Topics Covered:
- Types of loans & repayment strategies (student loans, personal loans, credit cards).
- Understanding interest rates and how to minimize borrowing costs.
- How to build, maintain, and improve credit (without falling into debt cycles).
- How systemic factors impact access to credit (credit discrimination, predatory lending).
Wednesday, April 9
Understanding Your Paycheck & Total Compensation
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location TBD
Description: This session explains how to read a paycheck, break down withholdings, and understand total compensation (benefits, healthcare, retirement plans). Students will learn:
- How to decode pay stubs (gross vs. net pay).
- Why benefits matter (and how to advocate for them).
- How to negotiate pay fairly.
Emergency Funds Without Sacrifice
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location TBD
Description: This session teaches students how to save without extreme austerity, or giving up their lives and fun by trying to stick to unrealistic habit-building.
- Why emergency funds matter and how much to save.
- How to set realistic savings goals without deprivation.
- Where to store savings (high-yield accounts, cash reserves).
Hands-On Financial Safety Planning
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location TBD
- Interactive Scenario Exercise – Students work in teams to problem-solve financial emergencies.
- Personalized Savings Plan Creation – Students build a custom emergency fund strategy.
- Resource Sharing & Q&A – Explore campus and community financial resources.
Thursday, April 10
Investing for Beginners
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location TBD
Description: Students learn the basics of investing in a low-risk, accessible way:
- Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs explained simply.
- How to start investing with as little as $10.
- Retirement savings for students.
Panel Discussion: Balancing Finances & Mental Health
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: TBD
Description: A candid discussion featuring Syracuse University professionals on navigating financial stress and building mental resilience in money management.
Friday, April 11
Managing Risk – The Role of Insurance
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: TBD
Description: Exploring health, auto, renter’s, and life insurance, this session helps students protect their assets while minimizing financial risk.
Closing Ceremony & Networking Mixer
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: TBD
- Closing speech & reflection
- Networking
- Giveaways