Peer-to-Peer Financial Counseling is Now Available

Through one-on-one mentoring, workshops and free online resources, Eastern’s Financial Wellness Program is designed to help students build skills and confidence in managing their money.

Beginning this year, the program has introduced peer-to-peer financial counseling, a service that gives students the opportunity to connect with trained, fellow-student coaches who can help them navigate financial questions and concerns.

Students looking to take advantage of the service can schedule 30 or 60 minute individual sessions with a peer mentor by booking a time online or at the wellness services office, located in 121 Tawanka Hall.

Ivy Velazquez, an Eastern student who is double majoring in finance and accounting, is one of the three peer financial wellness coaches. She joined the program because she wanted to share what she has learned while managing her own college expenses.

Velazquez says that having a peer mentor can make it easier for students to ask questions and realize they are not alone in figuring out their finances.

“It’s sometimes easier to talk to someone who’s your own age,” Velazquez says. “It lets students know they’re not alone.”

Adelaide Omondi, a computer science major and fellow financial wellness coach, says learning about personal finances is an ongoing process, and that having other students to learn alongside can make it easier to ask questions and work through unfamiliar topics.

For her part, Eleni Holmes, an exercise science major who joined the program in March, says the personal connection is a crucial part of financial counseling. Rather than simply directing students to outside resources, mentors work alongside them to understand their financial concerns and identify practical steps forward.

Especially for those who feel embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing money, Holmes emphasized that the program is a great place to go for a confidential, nonjudgemental environment.

“Money is scary, and finances are scary, and we are here to make them less scary,” Holmes says. “Everyone needs help at some point, and that doesn’t mean you are not capable.”

Want to explore financial topics on your own before meeting with someone? The program also offers financial literacy tutoring via CashCourse, a free education resource offering lessons and tools that cover topics such as budgeting, student loans and credit.

Additional financial wellness resources, including information about appointments, CashCourse and upcoming workshops are available through EWU’s financial wellness website.

*Story written by Cara Peterson.