Wellness Wednesday: October 2026

October 2026

Column written by Tom Klaaymeyer, financial literacy coordinator, Counseling and Wellness Services.

 

Supporting Student Success: How the EWU Financial Wellness Program Helps Our Eagles SOAR

Nonacademic challenges can impact our students’ academic journey. Unsurprisingly, financial stress remains one of the leading contributors to student anxiety, often becoming severe enough to disrupt academic performance, health, and ultimately, degree completion.

At the Eagle SOAR Financial Wellness Program, our goal is to help students reduce financial stress by helping them build confidence in managing their money and navigating college costs – to provide peace of mind by improving their financial Skills, Ownership, Awareness, and Resilience.

We offer zero-judgment, confidential programming that is tailored to student life.

Our services include the following:

• One-on-one financial coaching: Individual sessions to help students improve their financial literacy and habits. Areas covered include building personalized budgets, understanding credit, planning for life after graduation, and more.
• Workshops: Group presentations designed to equip students with practical financial information and tools that will serve them well in college and beyond.
• CashCourse: A free, mobile-friendly platform that provides short, practical lessons designed to fit into busy student schedules.

We are also thrilled to announce the launch of our Peer Financial Coach Program. We hired and trained dedicated student-employees who are now ready to support their fellow Eagles. We know that some students feel more comfortable opening up about money matters with someone who understands the student experience. Our peer financial coaches offer approachable, student-to-student guidance on everyday budgeting, saving and financial habit-building.

Financial wellness is deeply connected to meeting life’s essential needs.

If you encounter a student experiencing food or housing insecurity, please connect them with our Basic Needs Navigator.

EWU’s Basic Needs team coordinates the campus food pantry, emergency housing resources, and holistic support to ensure no Eagle must choose between their education and basic well-being. Learn more at the EWU Basic Needs Website.

How You Can Help: Encourage Early Conversations

We often hear from students who waited until they were in a full-blown financial emergency before reaching out. Please encourage students not to wait until a crisis hits. Whether a student is feeling overwhelmed by monthly expenses or simply wants to build better habits for the future, we are here to help them early.

• Financial Wellness Website: Learn more or book a session.
• Referral Tip: Keep our link handy on your Canvas pages or syllabus resources list.