Money management, job search information provided at event:
Klamath Community College student JuneDee Weber was one of many people who were provided with valuable information at the Financial Literacy Fair at the college on Wednesday, Jan. 13, according to a news release.
For Weber, who moved to Klamath Falls from Eugene just in time to enroll for the winter term, discovering an array of community services offered in her new hometown was among the benefits of the fair.
“It’s important to know we have counseling sessions available and that the credit union allows students to join,” she said.
Free information:
For five hours, representatives from a variety of financial and community service organizations offered free information during the fair. This year, the event, which was sponsored by Students in Free Enterprise in partnership with student government, was open to the public as well as students.
Participants were informed on such topics as managing money wisely, how to find a job, opening a bank account, and how to apply for a loan. They also had a chance to win prizes, including KCC T-shirts and sweatshirts, by playing bingo or spinning a wheel of chance.
Getting tips:
One of the students, Robert Westcott, browsed the booths for tips about bank services, particularly different types of accounts. He also sought advice on establishing a good credit rating.
Sherry Preston of Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union said students seemed more focused on financial issues this year rather than just collecting pens and refrigerator magnets from
each booth.
“They wanted a little more information than in past years,” she said.
Identity theft:
One of the students who sought out Preston’s help was Charles Willis, who said he hoped to open a new bank account after having identity theft problems with an account at his former bank.
Wendy Jones of Solutions Employee Assistance Program said she wanted students to know they could receive three counseling sessions free of charge by showing their KCC identification card. The agency offers counseling for alcoholism, drug abuse, stress, divorce, mental illness, bankruptcy, grief and other problems.
“It’s really under utilize
d,” Jones said. “I think a lot of students just don’t know about it so we’re trying to get the word out.”
Helping students:
She added that counseling might be the difference between some students staying in school or dropping out.
Lyssa Thaden operated a booth for Ed-Fund, a Spokane agency that offers financial information. She told students about free income tax filing opportunities and also that they could get tax credit for tuition and fee expenses as well as for interest paid on student loans.
“They’re struggling with money just like the rest of us,” Thaden said. “It’s amazing how much you can save if you know some of the tricks.”
Other organizations that had booths at the fair were Klamath Crisis Center (Marta’s House), US Bank, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Klamath Insurance Center, WorkSource Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology financial aid, and the state Department of Human Services.
