Student Financial Literacy
The Berkeley College Student Financial Literacy Group (SFLG) helps students with important financial steps and planning for a successful financial future. Student Financial Literacy uses multifaceted resources to provide students with federal student loan information as well as understanding the importance of maintaining effective budgeting tools and managing personal finances. SFLG provides prospective students, current and discontinued students, as well as alumni with educational resources to understand federal student loans, financial matters and making life-long financial decisions.
Student Financial Literacy is excited to share a financial literacy web-based tool called ECMC Learning that is available to all Berkeley College students at NO COST. ECMC Learning is a comprehensive, web-based, interactive learning platform designed to provide financial wellness in college and beyond.
College can be challenging, but managing your money shouldn't be. After creating a personalized account, you can:
• Complete online courses on topics relevant to your life.
• Measure your financial health and get personalized recommendations.
• Create a monthly budget and track your spending over time.
• Assess your risk of identity theft, calculate the cost of borrowing, explore careers, create financial goals, and much more!
Start building your financial future today with ECMC Learning.
To learn more about the power of ECMC Learning, please click here to create your account.
If you have questions or would like more information, please email us at: StudentFinancialLiteracy@BerkeleyCollege.edu.
College can be challenging, but managing your money shouldn't be. After creating a personalized account, you can:
• Complete online courses on topics relevant to your life.
• Measure your financial health and get personalized recommendations.
• Create a monthly budget and track your spending over time.
• Assess your risk of identity theft, calculate the cost of borrowing, explore careers, create financial goals, and much more!
Start building your financial future today with ECMC Learning.
To learn more about the power of ECMC Learning, please click here to create your account.
If you have questions or would like more information, please email us at: StudentFinancialLiteracy@BerkeleyCollege.edu.
Would you like to call us instead?
Linda Athearn-Forster, Senior Director
1-800-446-5400 ext. 4565
1-800-446-5400 ext. 4565
Access your federal student loan information
The U.S. Department of Education houses all of your federal student loan information on StudentAid.gov. On StudentAid.gov, you will find your loan history and student loan servicer contact information. To access StudentAid.gov, you will need your FSA ID Username and password. Click here to log in and review your loan information.
MANAGING YOUR STUDENT LOANS
1. Know the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans
Payment of both loan types is deferred while you attend school at least half-time. The government pays the interest on your subsidized loan while you are in school, but the interest on the unsubsidized loan is your responsibility. Making payments on the accruing interest on an unsubsidized loan can save money on interest. If you can, make payments while you’re attending school.
Payment of both loan types is deferred while you attend school at least half-time. The government pays the interest on your subsidized loan while you are in school, but the interest on the unsubsidized loan is your responsibility. Making payments on the accruing interest on an unsubsidized loan can save money on interest. If you can, make payments while you’re attending school.
2. Know how much you’re borrowing and how much you owe
It’s important to monitor how much you borrow. Keep in mind the length of your program of study and other expenses you may incur while studying. Maximum loan amounts may apply. You can monitor your borrowing by going to nslds.ed.gov or looking up the information on your loan servicer’s website.
It’s important to monitor how much you borrow. Keep in mind the length of your program of study and other expenses you may incur while studying. Maximum loan amounts may apply. You can monitor your borrowing by going to nslds.ed.gov or looking up the information on your loan servicer’s website.
3. Know your loan servicer
If you take a student loan, you will be assigned a loan servicer. Your loan servicer is the company that will be collecting your monthly payments once your repayment period begins. If you do not know the name of your servicer, you can look up that information by going to StudentAid.gov. You will need your FSA ID Username and password.
If you take a student loan, you will be assigned a loan servicer. Your loan servicer is the company that will be collecting your monthly payments once your repayment period begins. If you do not know the name of your servicer, you can look up that information by going to StudentAid.gov. You will need your FSA ID Username and password.
4. Make payments while in school (even small payments)
Making small payments while you’re still in school will help you pay down your loans, which will save you money in the long run.
Making small payments while you’re still in school will help you pay down your loans, which will save you money in the long run.
5. If you move, change your email or phone, notify your loan servicer
Make sure your contact information is always current so you do not miss key communications. It only takes a quick phone call to your servicer.
Make sure your contact information is always current so you do not miss key communications. It only takes a quick phone call to your servicer.
6. Set up an online account
An online account with your loan servicer is a good way to track your loan balances, payments, and other activity as well as an easy way to update your account information.
An online account with your loan servicer is a good way to track your loan balances, payments, and other activity as well as an easy way to update your account information.
7. Budget
Creating a monthly budget is a great idea to help you monitor and control your spending – before, during, and after your years in college. Changing your spending habits early can translate into less borrowing for college and make repaying student loans easier.
Creating a monthly budget is a great idea to help you monitor and control your spending – before, during, and after your years in college. Changing your spending habits early can translate into less borrowing for college and make repaying student loans easier.
8. Avoid Defaulting on your loans
It’s important to avoid defaulting on your student loans as there are many consequences. Defaulting could damage your credit, make you ineligible for future financial aid and cause wage and tax refund garnishments. Reach out and ask for help if you cannot make your loan payments.
It’s important to avoid defaulting on your student loans as there are many consequences. Defaulting could damage your credit, make you ineligible for future financial aid and cause wage and tax refund garnishments. Reach out and ask for help if you cannot make your loan payments.
9. Avoid Student Loan scams
When you need assistance with your student loans, only work with Berkeley College or your loan servicer and beware of student loan debt relief companies. Remember, you never have to pay for help with your student loans. Assistance is available at no cost through your loan servicer.
When you need assistance with your student loans, only work with Berkeley College or your loan servicer and beware of student loan debt relief companies. Remember, you never have to pay for help with your student loans. Assistance is available at no cost through your loan servicer.
10. Stay Informed
Berkeley College’s Student Financial Literacy Group is committed to helping students manage their student loans efficiently and responsibly. If you have questions or need more information, contact us by email at: StudentFinancialLiteracy@BerkeleyCollege.edu or by phone: 1-800-446-5400 Ext. 4565.
Berkeley College’s Student Financial Literacy Group is committed to helping students manage their student loans efficiently and responsibly. If you have questions or need more information, contact us by email at: StudentFinancialLiteracy@BerkeleyCollege.edu or by phone: 1-800-446-5400 Ext. 4565.
Loan Servicer Contact Information
Visit your loan servicer's website or create an online account with your loan servicer to receive important updates and to make a payment towards your federal student loans.