On Tuesday, Feb. 10 the University Student Union, in pair with Financial Aid and Financial Services, put on their annual event, “CSUNopoly.”
Mimicking the set up of Monopoly, the front stage and surrounding areas looked like a live version of the game itself. For example, the main stage had a jail display with a box blowing around play money.
Surrounding the center stage were various booths for many financial topics, giving students the chance to walk around and learn all about financial services.
Headlining the event was financial aid and financial literacy, both programs that work in part with the financial academic department.
Gregorio Alcantar, financial aid counselor and financial literacy coordinator, had much to say about how this event and financial services can help students.
“As an event promoting financial literacy, CSUNopoly has been running for about 10 years. Over this time, we’ve gotten bigger and better,” Alcantar said. “Today is an example of how we have gotten better because the event is becoming smoother. The information continues to be relevant, even though we offer the same thing every year.”
Alcantar pointed out the various booths that were there to help students. Including financial aid, scholarships, financial literacy, better credit, and even booths for the Career Center and Associated Students.
Students who don’t qualify for financial aid should not fret, as there are loans and ways to maximize them with the right tools.
“Whatever you major in, if you do things correctly or at least follow a guideline, you’ll be able to maximize that money and get into a career hopefully to pay back those loans,” Alcantar said.
Brandon Rangi, a 20-year-old accounting major, was a first timer attending and working at this event.
“What is really important about this event is that you get to talk to different booths and they all talk about different aspects about financial aid. It’s important for college students like me, who need to know everything I can about all my financial aid options,” Rangi said.
Tray Thompson, recent graduate, has been working with Financial Literacy for about 3 years to and through graduation.
“Today’s event focuses on financial literacy and money management. We are focusing on breaking down, and getting feedback so students can find out what financial literacy is,” said Thompson.
Thompson said that there are five different workshops and three webinars the program offers, which students can find more about through the financial aid website online.
These workshops are located in Juniper Hall, typically the 4th floor through the semester.
“We have different topics we put workshops on for,” Thompson said. “They are in person or online, and they are an hour long focusing on things like taxes, student loans, and basic budgeting”
Financial Literacy works with the academic side of the financial department and many university 100 classes to promote financial literacy and education.
Some financial education courses students can take include FIN 102, FIN 302, which are available to all students regardless of major.
“My advice to students is to take advantage of the opportunity they have at the university before they graduate. Because if they don’t, they’ll be paying for these services when they get out,” said Thompson.
Students who couldn’t make this event should not feel left out. There is a team of financial officials across campus working to help students understand and better manage their money. The financial aid office is located in lobby of the first floor in Bayramian Hall.
