WWU Peer Mentors Offer Judgment-Free Zone to Tackle Student Finances
BELLINGHAM, WA – Facing mounting expenses and limited income is a common struggle for college students, but Western Washington university (WWU) is offering a unique solution: free, peer-to-peer financial mentoring. The program, gaining traction on campus, provides students with a safe and supportive environment to navigate the often-stressful world of personal finance.
The core of the program lies in its empathetic approach. Effie Brickell, a senior financial economics major from Olympia who has served as a peer mentor since Spring 2024, emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming space. “Empathy is huge here,” Brickell explained. “And being able to say,’oh,I’ve been through this exact same thing,I’ve struggled with the same thing,’ makes [the client] feel understood. There’s a lot of shame wrapped up in this stuff,right? And I just try to create a really welcoming space where I’m like,you don’t have to feel guilty.”
The one-hour mentoring appointments are entirely customized to the student’s needs. Whether it’s crafting a budget, understanding student loans, or simply learning the basics of money management, the mentors are equipped to help. “People just have a lot of expenses and not a lot of income,” noted a student who has utilized the service, Tirhi. “Obviously, as a student, I think that’s the hardest thing to balance, especially because people can’t really get another part-time job or a full-time job while in school.”
But the program goes beyond just offering advice. Jeremy case, a senior finance major from Grass Valley, California, and a peer mentor since the program’s inception, utilizes tools to help students understand their relationship with money. “One of the first things I do when meeting with a new client is to try to determine a person’s money personality,” Case said. “We have a card game, and our website iGrad also has a money personality quiz that you can take.”
The iGrad quiz assesses financial behavior across various categories, providing students with valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to managing their finances. This self-awareness is a crucial first step towards building healthier financial habits.
WWU’s peer mentoring program is proving to be a valuable resource for students seeking to gain control of their finances and reduce the stress associated with money matters. It’s a testament to the power of peer support and the importance of creating a judgment-free space to discuss sensitive topics.
To learn more about the WWU peer financial mentoring program and access the iGrad quiz, visit [Insert WWU Financial Aid/iGrad Link Here – *Editor’s Note: Link to be added*]
