It is no secret that the cost of college is a sizeable financial investment. Figuring out how to pay for college, managing credit or debit cards, knowing how to create a budget, and developing an emergency fund can all feel overwhelming.
Cyclone CashCourse
The Board of Regents, State of Iowa has mandated the three public institutions in Iowa (Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa) offer a financial education training to help students make smart financial decisions and better manage their money.
In order to take the fear out of finances and comply with the Board of Regents mandate, all new undergraduate students will be required to complete Cyclone CashCourse during the fall semester of their first year at Iowa State University.
Cyclone CashCourse is a semester-based, online training aimed at building the financial foundation students need to live a financially healthy life. The training will include modules on managing money, paying for college, borrowing student loans, and understanding credit. Students will be able to complete the modules at their own pace and in any order.
Cyclone CashCourse will automatically appear in your Canvas account during your first fall term at Iowa State University. Students can begin completing the training when fall semester starts and should have all modules completed by the end of the semester. The Peer Financial Educators will be available to students for timely reminders, encouragement and one-on-one meetings throughout the training.
In order to complete the training, students will need to create a free, online account with CashCourse at www.cashcourse.org. The modules will be available through the CashCourse website. Cyclone CashCourse is coordinated by the Office of Student Financial Success, a unit of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Division of Academic Affairs.
CashCourse is operated by the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance (HEFWA) and is free for students to use. CashCourse provides free online financial education materials through modules, articles, worksheets, videos, and calculators to help students take control of their financial futures for all Iowa State University students.
Students should create a free online account using their ISU email address with CashCourse at www.cashcourse.org. When Cyclone CashCourse is complete, students will still have access to the wealth of financial information and resources that CashCourse provides. We encourage students to refer back to CashCourse as needed to find pertinent financial information and guidance as their need for financial information evolves.
Questions about the Cyclone CashCourse program can be directed to cashcourse@iastate.edu.