Personal Finance and Student Debt

Higher education can be costly and many students are just learning about finances. The HDFS department has compiled resources to help you set a budget, learn about debt, and make good financial decisions.

• Know your numbers: Use this Know-Your-Numbers resource to calculate your college debt, get a sense of how much your loan payments might be, and compare those payments to the starting salaries in different careers.
• Scenarios: Evaluating and managing costs is critical for debt reduction. Use the Scenarios Guide to learn about the financial implications of different decisions students make, including balancing coursework and paid work, using meal plans, and studying abroad.
• Money-saving tips: A list of ten money saving tips specifically for college students!
• Additional resources: There are dozens of books, web resources, and campus contacts to help manage personal finances and students debt.