Student Financial Services launched a new financial education program this semester featuring workshops on various financial topics as well as individual financial coaching. Topics include:

• Student loans: What they are and how to manage them now to avoid the pitfalls later. *Note this will be offered as 2 sessions – Freshmen OR Upperclassmen

• Spending plans: Creating a spending plan to track your income and expenses

• Sources for college funding: Finding money for college through scholarships, jobs, and financial aid

• Credit cards and Identity Theft: Learning more about credit and how to avoid identify theft

Financial Coaching will consist of a one-on-one meeting with a peer counselor to help a student understand and organize his/her financial situation.

Questions and/or requests to set up an individual meeting should be referred via email to Financial_Foundations@Baylor.edu.

Check our calendar for dates, times and locations.

Cash Course

Visit Baylor University's CashCourse to learn valuable tips about financial responsibility during your time as a student and beyond.

The financial aid application process is free. There is no need to pay to find scholarships or pay to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please be aware that fafsa.com is a commercial website, and charges a fee to file your FAFSA.

As families struggle to obtain the funds they need to pay for a college education, it is easy to fall prey to scholarship scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises caution when you see the following lines:

"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
"You can't get this information anywhere else."
"I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."
"We'll do all the work."
"The scholarship will cost some money."
"You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship" or
"You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

For information about scholarship scams:
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/lsa.jsp

To report a scam:
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
or go here to fill out a complaint form online.

To check on complaints against a company:
www.bbb.com

For a free scholarship search go to:
www.fastweb.com

To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) go to:
www.fafsa.gov.

To get help completing the FAFSA:
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243);
TTY: 1-800-730-8913
www.studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa

For information on student aid for college:
1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243);
TTY: 1-800-730-8913
www.studentaid.ed.gov

We are here to help you through the financial aid process. Baylor financial aid counselors are available by phone at 254-710-2611 or 800-BAYLOR-U, Option 8, Option 2, by email at Financial_Aid@Baylor.edu, or in person at Clifton Robinson Tower.