Volume 010 Issue 003 January 2016
Tips on How to Take Control of Your Finances The New Year always brings new promises. While career advancement and weight loss are at the top of everyone’s list, personal financial management is important as well.
Debt seems to plague college students, especially with high limit credit cards and student loans. That’s why 2016 is a great year for a financial makeover. Dave Ramsey, New York Times best-selling author and America’s trusted voice of money, provides initial steps on how to get out of debt. Debt Snowball Plan The principle is to stop everything except minimum payments and focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise, nothing gets accomplished because all your effort is diluted. List your debts in order with the smallest payoff or balance first. Do not be concerned with interest rates or terms unless two debts have similar payoffs, then list the higher interest rate debt first. You attack the smallest debt first, still maintaining minimum payments on everything else. Paying the little debts off first gives you quick feedback, and you are more likely to stay with the plan. Designed, written and edited by: Ericka Smith
Build Momentum Redo this each time you pay off a debt by adding the minimum payment of the first debt
to the minimum payment on the next debt, so you have compounding payments which will get you out of debt very quickly. For more tips on debt reduction, visit: www.daveramsey.com.
Here are some additional financial management tips for college students. By Hitha Herzog, US News Money
1. Shop smart for textbooks. Invest in a Kindle or iPad and download your books – they are less expensive that way. 2. Do your homework on loans and financial aid. Understand what the exact size of your student loan debt will be upon graduation, and come up with a plan for how you will pay it back. 3. Create a budget. This is incredibly important. List monthly income sources, including savings, wages and parental allowances, and then write down estimated expenses for the month. 1
Happy New Year Everyone! This year will be one of promise, hope and completion. Many of us have promised to lose weight, get more involved and save more. Well, if you are one of those who have said that let’s start by making a list of our goals. 1. Monitor your calorie intake and include more fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. 2. Practice portion control. Avoid over eating and never shop for food when you’re hungry. 3. Find a workout buddy. Invite your friends to do a least 15 to 30 minutes of exercise a day. 4. Make getting fit fun. Try Pilates, yoga, Zumba and boxing for your daily workout. 5. Get plenty of rest. Allow your body to relax so you can be reenergized for the next day. In order to save more, open a savings account and put all your extra money in it. Also, allocate a specific amount of your paycheck to fun activities, clothes and household items so you won’t exceed your weekly budget.
Joy R. Stout, Director of Adult and Commuter Student Services and the Veterans Resource Center. Office: 901-678-2644 jstout@memphis.edu
Volunteerism has become a big part of our campus community. I am happy that the university exceeded its volunteer goal for 2015. We can all volunteer to help support various campus and community agencies. Please feel free to check with the Student Activities Office to learn about “Service on Saturday” opportunities. Some of you will successfully complete a semester of required course work or complete all of your requirements for degree completion. On both counts, good luck and I hope you will complete all your goals this semester.
The Commuter Student Association (CSA) first meeting is on Friday, January 22nd at 12:301:30 pm in the UC Senate Chamber Room 261. For more information contact the president, Moriah Brown, at csamemphis@gmail.com.
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The Adult Student Association (ASA) first meeting is on Thursday, February 4th at 12 pm in the UC Beale Room 363. For more information contact the president, Kelley Lancaster, at asa.uofm@gmail.com.
Corbin Reynolds, Veterans Resource Center Coordinator Welcome Corbin Reynolds, the new Veterans Resource Center Coordinator, to the University of Memphis. Reynolds retired from the Navy after 21 years of service. As Coordinator, he oversees programs and services to enhance U of M veterans' educational experience as they prepare for advancement within their military service or get ready to transition to the next phase of their career. ACSS: Why is the Veterans Resource Center Important? The Veteran Resource Center (VRC) is important because it assists veterans, service members and their families with the transition from a military environment into a positive academic community in pursuit of professional and personal development by connecting students to expert support services and tools to enhance academic and professional success.
Corbin Reynolds and his family
Navy; as a husband and father, earned my bachelors using TA attending a college on the local Navy base, and ACSS: What are your plans for the Veterans Resource obtained 2 masters as a full-time student. I understand the Center this semester? life pressures of part-time and full-time veteran students This semester’s focus is to link students to the appropriate with and without family or career obligations. I believe I campus resource to assist with their academic success, can be a positive advocate for current and future veteran provide professional development and wellness seminars, students attending UofM. and facilitate the transition from military culture to the campus and eventually life in the civilian culture. The ACSS: What advice do you have for veterans? VRC will also be recruiting veterans from Memphis and Whether a veteran or service member is seeking a new surrounding areas to increase the number of veterans the career or to utilize their degree for advancement in the UofM services at each of its campuses. military, they must keep their eye on the end goal. Do not let a single hard day of class divert your aspirations. If it is a new career and new beginning then utilize your time in school to adapt and transition to a civilian type culture/ mind set and learn the interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in the next phase of life. If you are seeking career advancement in the military, ensure your course of study meets any service specific requirements, such as any professional accreditations of a program. All veterans should stay in close contact with the Veterans Educational Benefits & Certification Office in Wilder tower, utilize the ACSS: How will your past experience in the military or free tutoring services provided through the Education your previous job help you with your new position? Support Program, and finally, ask for support when needed I have been both enlisted and commissioned in the service. and provide it to others in your sphere of influence whether a fellow veteran or not. I attended college for 3 years prior to enlisting in the ACSS: What is your long term goal for the VRC? Long term, I believe it is important to reach out to the family members of veterans and service members. Many family members, like my daughter, utilize the education benefits earned through the honorable service of another. They can also be the channel through which veterans, who may require assistance, can be reached.
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Student Veteran Open House! The student veteran open house will be Friday, January 29, 2016 in the Panhellenic Building Room 115 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Campus resources will be available to help student veterans transition from military life to campus life.
Important Dates At a Glance! Late Registration - $100 Late Registration Fee:
FULL - January 16-22, 2016 1ST - January 16-20, 2016 2ND - March 12-15, 2016 RODP - January 16-22, 2016
Last Day to Add or Change Sections:
FULL - January 22, 2016
1ST - January 20, 2016
2ND - March 15, 2016 RODP - January 22, 2016
Drop Period - No grade(s) assigned; course(s) will not appear on your transcript:
FULL - January 19 - February 1, 2016 1ST - January 19 - February 1, 2016 2ND - March 14-27, 2016 RODP - January 19 - February 1, 2016
Withdrawal Period - "W" grade(s) assigned; course(s) will appear on your transcript:
FULL - February 2 - March 18, 2016 1ST - February 2-11, 2016
2ND - March 28 - April 5, 2016 RODP - February 2 - March 18, 2016
Check the Tiger Scholarship Manager for the Adult student scholarship application. The UofM Adult Scholarship Program is designed to help adult students 25 and over reach their educational goals. This highly competitive and renewable scholarship is awarded annually to a limited number of students, who meet specified the requirements. The deadline for this scholarship is February 1st.