Welcome to the Financial Wellness Center

An overview of identity theft, including strategies for preventing it and what to do if it happens to you.

• Identity Theft
  Understanding ID theft and how to prevent it.
• Avoiding Identity Theft
  The three Ds of identity protection: Deter, Detect and Defend.
• Protecting Your Digital Information
  There are many data backup solutions available designed to protect personal information that vary in their security and ease of use.
• Dealing with Identity Theft
  Understanding the different types of identity theft and what to do in each scenario.

What you need to know to start making a long-term financial plan, from getting married to planning for retirement.

• Medical Care Planning
  How to make sure your wishes are followed in a medical crisis.
• Financial Planning
  Learning the "how" and "why" of short, medium, and long-term financial planning.
• Estate Planning
  Wills, trusts, and other end of life issues.
• Creating a Will
  A will is the cornerstone of the legal framework of an estate plan, and everyone should have one.
• Powers of Attorney
  Everyone faces the possibility of temporary or permanent incapacitation. Make sure your wishes are followed.
• Talking About Money
  A look at some of the financial considerations of getting married.
• Planning for the Unexpected
  Planning for unexpected events, including accidents, death, and even the possibility of divorce, are all part of a responsible marriage.

The basics of financial aid, including the types of aid, applying for aid, borrower responsibilities, and repayment strategies.

• Financial Aid Introduction
  Whether you're considering higher education for yourself or starting to plan for the education of your kids, understanding the financial aid process is the first step to meeting your education goals.
• Types of Financial Aid
  The main types of financial aid are education loans, grants and scholarships, work-study, and service programs.
• Creating an Aid Strategy
  Considerations when planning to pay for school, including school choice, employment options, accounting strategies, and the importance of borrowing wisely.
• Understanding Financial Need
  Some aid is based on financial need and some is not. What exactly is "financial need?"
• Applying for Aid
  The aid application process, including descriptions of the FAFSA and Profile forms.
• Education Loans
  A description of the main types of student loans, including government loans, consolidation loans, and private loans.
• Choosing the Right Loan
  Questions every student should be able to answer before taking on a student loan.
• Selecting a Private Loan Lender
  When federal loans are not enough, private lenders such as banks, credit unions, and non-profit lenders can help to fill the gap.
• The Master Promissory Note
  An introduction to the agreement that specifies your rights and responsibilities when accepting a student loan.
• Repaying College Debt
  A look at common repayment plans, including how different plans affect your monthly payment and overall cost.
• Borrowing Wisely
  Making smart choices about student loans, including a description of the impact of loan capitalization.
• Independent Student Status
  Understanding your financial aid dependency status, including a discussion of what to do if the parents of dependent students refuse to help them pay for college.
• Dealing with Too Little Aid
  Why some students find themselves with too little aid and what can be done to make ends meet.

Understanding the common types of insurance, including auto, renters, health, plus more.

• Insurance
  Understanding how insurance plays an important role in our financial lives.
• Auto Insurance
  A review of the major types of auto insurance, factors influencing cost, and choosing a policy that's right for you.
• Life Insurance
  Who needs life insurance, types of policies, and how to determine coverage.
• Renter's Insurance
  Understanding the benefits (and potential pitfalls) of this type of inexpensive insurance.
• Health Insurance
  The various health insurance choices.
• Disability Insurance
  The benefits and costs of these often complex policies.