Financial Literacy

Paying for College
Financial Literacy - Life Skills©
Higher Education Tax Benefits
Life Cycle of a Loan
Glossary of Financial Terms (ECMC)
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful Links

Student Financial Aid Tools

Financial literacy may be defined as the possession of money management education. To become financially literate, a person must have access to information that enhances his/her knowledge base. This page provides resources for those who are interested in increasing awareness of positive money management skills.

Financial Literacy Guide for Student Medicine

LifeSkills©
California Northstate University Student Financial Aid Office is proud to offer the LifeSkills© curriculum to all students as a comprehensive tool for financial literacy. Topics covered in this curriculum range from savings goals, to credit card usage and debt, to spending control while in college. LifeSkills© is aimed at enhancing financial literacy by delivering applicable information in an easily accessible online format. Please visit www.lifeskills.org to create your account and get started building a solid financial literacy knowledgebase. If you are interested in learning more about a topic not currently offered through LifeSkills©, please contact the Student Financial Aid Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please choose the applicable student group which identifies your current status to access the appropriate Life Skills© curriculum:

Money Management
Good money management is not just about balancing a budget. It is about deciding on realistic financial goals (short-, mid-, and long-term), researching and planning ways to achieve those goals, and implementing and maintaining the plans for success!

The information below contains tools, calculators, and resources aimed at assisting students with good money management. The CashCourse.org page requires a user login to access the information.

Developing Realistic Financial Goals

Determining if a financial expense is a need or a want can help put goal setting into perspective. Take a look at this for information about needs vs. wants. (CashCourse)
Record your goals, including the amount needed and a realistic timeframe for achieving each one. You may find this worksheet helpful. (ECMC)

Creating Plans to Meet Your Financial Goals

Always look for ways to learn more about good money management habits. Being financially savvy is always chic!
- Money 101 (CashCourse)
Need to pay off your credit cards? Calculate just long it will take. (Bankrate)
See these tips for getting yourself out of credit card debt. (CashCourse)
See how your potential move for college can adjust your costs of living. (Bankrate)
Calculate your potential loan repayment. (Bankrate)

Starting and Maintaining Your Plans

Let your friends and family know that you are committed to starting a successful path toward meeting your financial goals. The support of those closest to you will prove helpful if you fall off track!
After graduation financial struggles may amplify while you look for a job, but with the right tools and a positive attitude, your goals are achievable. Working and earning money is important, and understanding how employment benefits can work with and/or against you is essential. (CashCourse)
Keeping financial paperwork can be overwhelming and downright confusing at times. Who knows what you are supposed to keep and for how long? (CashCourse)

What happens when things don’t go according to plan?

Identity theft (FTC)
Lost/stolen ID card (USA.org)
Lost/stolen credit cards or fraud (FTC)
Handling debt collectors (CashCourse)
Losing your job is stressful enough!
- Unemployment 101 (CashCourse)
- Freelancing? Independent contract work? (CashCourse)
- Using your retirement account? (CashCourse)

For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Contact Information:
JoAnne Hansana, Financial Aid Manager
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
916-686-8784