You Won't Always Have the Answers to Your Problems
When you are feeling like you have nowhere else to turn, the internet can be great for information that you may feel you are lacking. Not only are there hundreds of online resources, but USI offers its students a few resources to help them understand finances in college. These sites can be great for guidance when you are struggling to understand a concept, trying to create a template, or trying to find financial aid. The sites below are only a few of the better options to seek help from and are by no means the only helpful sites.
USI Student Financial Assistance
This particular page of USI teaches students what they need to know about financial aid and even how to apply for it. FAFSA and other forms of financial aid can become confusing and you may find yourself lost among the steps. Seek help from this website to ensure that you are performing every step that you need to in order to get the financial aid that you need.
USI Bursar Office
If you have ever received your billing statement from the school and had no idea what you were looking at, this is the link for you. The Bursar's page offers you an explanation of what is on your bill, fees that you may have to pay, and much more. If you feel like you are struggling to understand what certain things on your bill mean don't hesitate to reach out to them. It is better to figure the issue out sooner than later!
CashCourse
CashCourse is a great online resource for almost all of your budgeting needs. It is a completely free website to use and includes not only information on financial subjects but also templates to help you create a budget. They also have personal stories of people who may be going through similar situations as you. One of the greatest resources is a calculator that helps you figure out how long you'll be paying on your student loans. This can be an eye-opener as to why you should never take out more than you need!
Federal Student Aid
FAFSA is one of the most important documents to fill out during your time in college. Unfortunately, FAFSA can be time-consuming and overly frustrating if you have no idea what you are doing. Filling it out wrong can result in problems with financial aid that you may be depending on. This website can provide you with an idea of what to expect from your financial aid as well as how to go about filling out your FAFSA each year.
EveryDollar
EveryDollar is a great budgeting resource, and one we actually use with clients in the SFSC. It allows you to create a zero-based budget and keep track of your spending to ensure you stick to that budget. One of the best things about EveryDollar is that it is offered as an app, so you can take it everywhere with you and update your budget on the go!
Mint
Mint is another great resource for those who struggle to create and stick to a budget. Mint will help you to create your own personalized budget based on your spending habits.