Classification: Two-year public college or university;
Hispanic-Serving Institution.
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-success course.
Program Description: The dean of student development and the
director of financial aid recognized that USA Funds® Life
Skills® could benefit PCC's students. Before delivering the program
to students, they wanted to introduce it to as many campus professionals as
possible to get their feedback and potential strategies for implementing the
program. After several campus presentations and discussions, the target audience
and delivery strategy were identified. The student-service counselors developed
a course that would be required of all students who were placed on academic
probation. The one-hour course would incorporate all five modules and would be
offered every term.
Module 1: Get a Grip on Your Finances: Smart Spending for Students
is offered as STU 102A: Managing Personal Finances (0.25 credit hours). Student
objectives for the course include developing the skills necessary for creating a
financial plan, developing a budget and learning the implications of borrowing
and using credit.
Module 2: Seek out Financial Aid: Funding Resources and Financial
Obligations is offered as STU 102B: Meeting Financial Obligations (0.25
credit hours). Student objectives include identification of personal resources,
funding resources and financial obligations.
Module 3: Work Hard but Smart: How to Be Successful in School and
Graduate on Time and Module 4: Take Control of Your Future: Finishing
School and Repaying Your Loans are offered as STU 102C: Strategies for
Taking Control of Your Future (0.25 credit hours). Student objectives for the
course include developing an educational plan based on career expectations,
establishing strategies for success, setting a career direction, and taking
control of the future.
Module 5: Now That You Are About to Graduate: Taking Control of Your
Life is offered as STU 102D: Transition from College to the Mainstream
(0.25 credit hours). Student objectives for the course include developing
techniques for transitioning from college to employment and for living within
financial means, and becoming informed about loan-repayment obligations.
Staffing Requirements: Student-services counselors integrate
Modules 1-5 in the four segments of the student success course.
Recommendations: Prior to implementing USA Funds Life
Skills, it was critical to build awareness among key professional groups on
campus. Although the process of implementing USA Funds Life Skills took longer
than anticipated, it was worth the effort when the student-success course was
introduced for the first time. Having the support of the senior administrators
was invaluable throughout the process of moving the program from campus
discussions to implementation.
Campus Contact:
Lupita Murphy, Director of Financial
Aid
Phone: (520) 206-4950
E-mail: lmurphy@pimacc.pima.edu