What Is Financial Wellness? Helping Students Understand Money

Financial wellness is all about understanding and taking control of your financial resources. It's about using money as a tool to reach your goals and live a fulfilling life. Grace Taylor, the associate director of financial aid at PCOM, believes that financial wellness allows you to live more intentionally and pursue what's important to you. As part of PCOM's Financial Wellness team, Taylor works to help students become more aware of their relationship with money and how it affects their overall well-being. The team offers one-on-one counseling to students, and the most popular topic discussed is loan repayment counseling. Managing debt can be scary and overwhelming, so having a clear plan in place can alleviate those fears. The Financial Wellness program also hosts events throughout the year, such as presentations and lecture series, to provide additional support and education. PCOM's Financial Wellness program is focused on empowering students to optimize their financial options and reduce the fear of the unknown. The team is trained in federal student loan repayment rules and plans, ensuring that students receive accurate and detailed information. By addressing the realities of their current financial life, the team helps students come to terms with their limited options and find the best way forward. Taylor emphasizes that financial wellness is not limited to young people and encourages students to know that they are not alone in their struggles. She shares her own experience of automating savings as the best financial advice she received, which has helped her stay on track with her goals. She encourages students to be proactive with their finances and take control of their money. In the end, financial wellness is about having awareness and control over your financial situation, and it is something that everyone can strive for. Understanding your own financial resources and making intentional choices will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.