Budgeting for Student Success: Cash Flow, Financial Goals & the Cost of Attendance Survey

Understand your money. Plan for your needs. Build a budget that works for you. Ready to get a clearer picture of your finances? Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn practical budgeting strategies and put them to work by creating a personalized student budget. Next, we'll work through the Cost of Attendance (COA) Survey together. You'll have the opportunity to consider the costs associated with attending college and reflect on your own education-related expenses. Completing the survey will also help you identify costs to incorporate into your personal budget. You'll have dedicated time to work on your budget, ask questions, and receive guidance in a relaxed, supportive environment. Light refreshments will be provided! What to bring: • Your laptop • Excel or a similar spreadsheet program, if available • A list of your income sources, including employment, financial aid refunds, family support, or other resources • An estimate of your monthly expenses, including housing, food, transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses • Any financial goals you'd like to work toward • And most importantly, your willingness to budget! You'll leave with a better understanding of your spending, a clearer picture of your education-related costs, and a personalized budget you can continue using and adjusting throughout the academic year. ________________________________________ Workshop Agenda 90 minutes | 1.5 hours 1. Budgeting Basics: Cash Flow, Income, Expenses & Goals — 20 minutes Learn the fundamentals of cash flow, distinguish between fixed and variable expenses, set financial goals, and explore how to adjust your budget when expenses fluctuate. 2. Cost of Attendance (COA) Survey — 25 minutes Work through the survey together to identify and estimate your education-related expenses and better understand the costs associated with attending college. 3. Personalized Budget Work Session — 45 minutes Build or update your budget using your income, expenses, and COA Survey responses. Ask questions, receive guidance, and refine your budget in a supportive setting while enjoying light refreshments. We look forward to helping you build the confidence and skills to manage your money, plan for college expenses, and work toward your financial goals. Join us and take the next step toward financial wellness and student success!