WELCOME TO THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS CENTER

Our Mission

The mission of the Financial Wellness Center is to support student well-being and success by providing individualized financial counseling, education, programming, research, and advocacy to guide students in their lifelong financial wellness journeys.

History of the FWC

The Financial Wellness Center (FWC) began when a University of Utah student, who was part of the Associate Students of The University of Utah (ASUU), noticed a significant demand for services related to students' finances on campus. Cognizing this need, in 2009, a group of students and leaders developed the Financial Literacy Needs Assessment to further understand the need for financial education and resources on campus. In 2011, Dr. Jerry Basford, our current Associate Vice President for Finance and Operations in Student Affairs, collaborated closely with students to establish the Personal Money Management Center (PMMC), now known as the Financial Wellness Center (FWC). This center, dedicated to money management and financial well-being, was the first of its kind in Utah within higher education institutions. Initially staffed with a coordinator and a peer mentor student, the center provided individual financial counseling and insights. Over time, it has expanded to include three full-time staff members who are Accredited Financial Counselors (AFCs), peer mentors, and student advocates. The services are crucial not only for managing finances while students are enrolled, but also for long-term financial success beyond graduation.

Accredited Financial Counselors (AFC)

Each of our three full-time staff members either possesses the prestigious Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) Certification. This certification underscores our dedication to delivering high-quality financial counseling and education. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, we offer continuing education opportunities for University of Utah staff members outside our center and for our peer mentors within the center to acquire their AFC certification. Whether you are seeking to enhance your money management habits or expand your understanding of investing, we provide personalized education and guidance tailored to your specific needs.

Our Scope of Practice

Our scope of practice at the FWC encompasses a wide range of financial education and counseling services tailored to support students and our broader community. We provide financial counseling to guide individuals through topics such as income tracking, expense management, responsible credit use, personalized budgeting, tax support, and more! Our expertise extends to creating plans to pay for your education, understanding credit reports, planning for tuition payments, and developing repayment strategies for student loans and other debts. We also offer a variety of monthly workshops and programming to support you and your money goals! While we seek to provide individuals with comprehensive financial knowledge, it's important to note that we do not offer specific investment advice, negotiate with creditors, or provide services related to retirement planning, legal advice, or estate planning.

IRS-Certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinics

In partnership with Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) and the Accounting Department in the David Eccles School of Business, we offer VITA Tax Clinics on campus and in the community. The IRS VITA program offers free tax preparation services to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. VITA volunteers and the FWC staff are certified in basic, advanced, and international tax preparation each year.