May 23, 2022
Financial stress is real. Seventy percent of college students have personal financial stress; 30% have considered leaving school because of it.
Those figures come from the MU Office for Financial Success (OFS), which seeks to help relieve that stress through workshops, presentations to groups and classes, and individual coaching. OFS services are free to all MU students.
“Our primary goal is raising awareness among students, faculty and staff,” said OFS program manager Alex Embree. “Nearly every single person who walks through our door says, ‘I wish I had known about you earlier.’”
OFS offers workshops to help with managing money during college, managing debt and preparing for life after college. Students may schedule one-on-one appointments with OFS through MU Connect or register for upcoming workshops on MU Engage.
“When I first started with OFS, I mostly wanted to gain some experience for my resume, but I soon realized the value in the services we provide,” said Merrick Silvis, peer financial coach. “I have been motivated ever since to make sure that students get the help they need.”
