Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy is the ability to understand and analyze your finances and your financial opportunities.
In this difficult economy, it is even more important that students and parents manage their finances carefully. The decisions you make now, from choosing which loan to borrow to how you use a credit card, will affect you for years after graduation.
Credit, savings, and budgeting are three areas that can play a large part in determining the quality of your future.
Credit
Before you choose or use a credit card become familiar with credit card interest rates, late payment penalties and other types of debt that may be incurred through credit card use.
Budget
The easiest way to get the most out of your money is to know where it’s going! Create a weekly, monthly, and yearly budget for expenses and stick to it to ensure you are taking in more money than you are taking out.
Saving/Investing
There may be nothing more important to your future than saving and investing. To earn the highest return on savings (annual percentage yield) with little or no risk, consider certificates of deposit (CDs) or U.S. Savings Bonds (Series I or EE).
To get started with your financial planning, click a link from the options below.
Campus Resources
- College of Charleston Office of Financial Assistance
- College of Charleston budget calculator
- Understanding your credit and obtaining your credit reports
- Net price calculator
Federal Resources
- Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
apply for student and parent loans and federal grants - Repaying student and parent loans
- Student aid on the Web
- Paying for college
- Publications about going to college and paying for college
- Federal education tax benefits guide
- SC College Department of Revenue Tuition Tax Credit
Financial Planning Resources
- Money management and budgeting
- Financial planning and calculators
- Financial planning
- Financial planning and debt management
- Free Online College Financing Program for Parents
- Credit card basics
- Saving and investing money
- Smart college student loan guides and tips
THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON OFFERS THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS SITE, INCLUDING THE LINKS TO OTHER SITES, AS A SERVICE TO OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THIS SITE WILL FACILITATE YOUR EFFORTS TO SECURE SOUND FINANCIAL ADVICE AND TO OBTAIN AIDS THAT YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING. PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER THIS SITE AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSULT OR AS AN EXHAUSTIVE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.
WHILE THE COLLEGE SITE OFFERS SOME INFORMATION THAT MAY ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR FINANCIAL MATTERS, IT IS NOT PROVIDING PERSONAL FINANCIAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS SITE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SEEKING PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE; OR AS A REASON NOT TO CONSULT WITH OTHERS WHO CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE TO YOU. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING REMAINS WITH YOU.
THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON DOES NOT MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION ABOUT THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR CURRENCY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR STATEMENT MADE ON THE WEB SITE OF ANOTHER INSTITUTION.
