Summary
A new semester demands a new mindset. Whether you're a college freshman or a rising high schooler, it's time to add something essential to your back-to-school checklist: money skills!
This year, we’re bringing you a Smart Money Syllabus. Including short, practical lessons to help you save smarter, spend with intention, and build skills that pay off long after finals finish.
Time to lock in. Class is in session!
Smart Money Curriculum
1. Budgeting 101: Customized For School
Assignment: Create a back-to-school budget that includes everything.
Your budget will take into account all costs, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, tech upgrades, food, and any personal or social spending.
Milestone: Start by listing all your planned and potential monthly expenses. Think about what your fixed costs are, like housing, versus flexible ones, like ride shares, to get a full picture.
Our article, Everyday Al in Your Financial Life, guides you through how to use AI for financial planning and prompts questions like:
- What are my must-haves versus nice-to-haves?
- How much do I need weekly for basics like food and fun?
- What unexpected costs typically arise for students that I haven’t considered?
Then complete your budget using your favorite tool, like a spreadsheet, a budgeting app, or your phone’s notes app. This is where you will track your income and savings versus your planned and unplanned expenses.
Your budget is a live resource. Make sure to keep it up-to-date with any unexpected money you bring in or a surprise cost. Seeing your full financial health helps you stay in control from
day one.
2. MoneyMoves 101: Send and Split with Speed
College life brings new friends and costs. Whether it’s a group project, late-night takeout, rent splitting, or shared subscriptions, these all mean money is constantly moving between you and your friends.
That’s where MoneyMoves, our peer-to-peer payment platform, makes life easier. It offers the recipient of the payment the choice of an immediate deposit to their OneUnited Bank account, a Standard Deposit to an account they have at another bank, or an Instant Deposit to their debit card.
Assignment: Explore our options to move money in the OneUnited Bank mobile app or online banking through your checking account. It’s fast, secure, and made for anyone with a busy lifestyle, like students.
Milestone: Do a test send to someone you trust, like a roommate or sibling. Practice using it now so when real-life expenses hit, like paying your share of the rent or buying event tickets, you are ready to move money instantly and confidently.
3. Smart Thinking: Invest Before You Enroll
Certain investments save you money long-term. These are high-ROI (Return on Investment) choices.
Think about purchasing prepaid transit cards, buying quality gear once instead of three cheap versions, or grabbing the school’s meal plan that fits your busy schedule so food isn’t wasted. Your investment helps reduce the lifetime costs of your purchases and helps you save time.
Assignment: Identify two or three pre-semester investments that reduce long-term stress or spending. These could be practical upgrades like noise-canceling headphones or financial moves like paying up front for software subscriptions at a discount.
Milestone: Choose one and act on it this month. You’ll thank yourself during midterms when your budget is tighter and your schedule is packed.
Optional Power-ups: These level up your money game and give you a digital edge this semester.
- Scholarship Finder Apps: Looking for tuition aid? Use platforms like Scholly or Going Merry to find scholarships and grants that many miss. Available money is still out there if you look.
- Online Skills Courses: Support your college education with short, focused, and digital courses in creative design, business software, or basic coding. Platforms like Coursera and Skillshare, offer practical skill development that pays off in the job market.
- Smart Following: Tailor your social feed with finance creators and movements like #HillmanTokUniversity to learn about credit, saving, and investing in bite-sized, scrollable content. Reshape your relationship with social media from spending to learning!
Whatever your major or your year, showing up financially prepared is one of the smartest moves you can make to get ahead.
After completing this syllabus, you will have what it takes to pass the class. Set your budget, learn new tools, and look ahead to a balanced financial school year!
