New services and resources are now available to ACC employees who want help navigating their finances amid the pandemic, inflation changes, and other crises. ACC’s Student Money Management Office has partnered with The Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®) to expand financial counseling to college employees.
Through the partnership, ACC employees have access to AFCPE’s Pro Bono Financial Counseling Program. Financial counseling can include — but is not limited to — support with financial planning after a major life event, setting up a budget or debt management plan, or information on understanding your credit report.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact that quality financial counseling and education can make in the lives of individuals and families, and I’m excited that we’re finally able to connect our colleagues to a resource like this,” says Karen Serna, Student Money Management Office director, who holds her Accredited Financial Counselor® certification through AFCPE, the organizing sponsoring the project.
ACC employees may sign up for a virtual financial counseling session with an AFCPE® Accredited Financial Counselor® or an AFC® candidate who has passed their certification exam — completely free of charge.
Sessions are confidential and unbiased, meaning counselors do not sell products and will always give advice in the best interest of the client. Financial counselors are trained specifically to meet individuals and families where they are, help them build a strong financial foundation and realize their goals, and achieve lasting financial well-being.
The Student Money Management Office offers one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to ACC students but doesn’t have the capacity to offer services to staff.
“We often will give a few minutes of financial advice to our colleagues in the hall or after a classroom presentation, and we’ve always wanted to provide more. Now, we have a great resource to connect our colleagues with, so those few moments in the hall can become a connection to more meaningful financial guidance,” says Serna.
To schedule an appointment, visit the Student Money Management Office webpage.
For questions, please contact Karen Serna at [email protected].