Classification: Four-year public college or university.

Modules Used:

• Module 1: Get a Grip on Your Finances: Smart Spending for Students.
• Module 2: Seek out Financial Aid: Funding Resources and Financial Obligations.
• Module 3: Work Hard but Smart: How to Be Successful in School and Graduate on Time.
• Module 4: Take Control of Your Future: Finishing School and Repaying Your Loans.
• Module 5: Now That You Are About to Graduate: Taking Control of Your Life.

How Used: Student-support-services workshops.

Program Description: The director of student financial services recognized USA Funds^® Life Skills^® as an exemplary financial-literacy tool. Moving to an enrollment-management philosophy meant that retention would become a greater concern in her office. To maximize the potential benefits of the program, she invited two USA Funds consultants to campus for a half-day workshop to introduce USA Funds Life Skills to other departments on campus. Student Support Services signed on immediately, and a follow-up training workshop was provided for their staff. The educational-development specialist created a series of five workshops, carefully sequenced to coincide with important "financial" events for the student. The five workshops, based on the five USA Funds Life Skills modules, are offered on the same day and at the same time each term. Between the freshman and senior years, students enrolled in the Student Support Services program are invited to go through all five workshops as many times as they like. The premise of this developmental approach is that need should dictate the sequence of the information flow, and the pace should be dictated by student progress.

The workshop schedule for the fall is as follows:

Workshop 1, using Module 1: Get a Grip on Your Finances: Smart Spending for Students is offered between the third and fourth week of classes after students have settled into their routines.

Workshop 2, using Module 3: Work Hard but Smart: How to Be Successful in School and Graduate on Time is offered a week later to reinforce the study skills students need to be successful, especially as midterm approaches.

Workshop 3, using Module 2: Seek out Financial Aid: Funding Resources and Financial Obligations is offered toward the end of October because scholarship information comes out in late October or early November.

Workshop 4, using Module 5: Now That You Are About to Graduate: Taking Control of Your Life is offered in mid-November to allow seniors sufficient time to get their resumes prepared.

Workshop 5, using Module 4: Take Control of Your Future: Finishing School and Repaying Your Loans is offered right before the end of the semester to give students an opportunity to talk with financial-aid staff about their loans. This workshop prepares students to ask the "right" questions.

Staffing Requirements: The educational-development specialist for Student Support Services is responsible for conducting the five workshops each term using Modules 1-5.

Recommendations: The professional approach to the design and development of USA Funds Life Skills makes it more palatable for institutions considering implementing the program. Although the program is a slightly tougher "sell" to faculty members, they, too, appreciate the quality of the program materials. Perhaps the most important recommendation is to make sure the program is the right fit for your program goals and objectives.

Campus Contact:
Ofelia Morales, Director of Student Financial Services
Phone: (719) 549-2913
E-mail: ofelia.morales@colostate-pueblo.edu