South Mountain Community College: Phoenix

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: Personal development course.

Program Description: USA Funds® Life Skills® is used as a default-management tool at South Mountain Community College. The counseling department developed a one-credit course to be taught by full-time faculty. The course incorporates all five USA Funds Life Skills modules. All student-loan borrowers are required to enroll in the class. Students who are not necessarily borrowers and many staff members enroll in the class, as well, for both personal and professional growth. For example, the entire financial-aid staff took the course so they could share their firsthand experiences with student-loan borrowers. Other members of the student-services staff have taken the course to glean information they can share with students they counsel.

The seven hours of class time are covered in two Saturday session or in four evening sessions. This fast-paced approach has been very popular with both students and staff.

Staffing Requirements: Only faculty-certified counselors are allowed to teach the course.

Recommendations: The director of financial aid suggests that there is no substitute for having the staff enroll in a course that they are recommending to students to determine whether the class is meeting the needs of student-loan borrowers. The director indicates that it has become easier to promote the course because it now is a regular offering in the schedule as CPD 108 Personal Money Management.

Campus Contact:
Inez Moreno-Weinert, Director of Financial Aid
Phone: (602) 243-8134
E-mail: inez.moreno-weinert@smcmail.maricopa.edu