SU SIFE receives grant for new credit counseling program

SU SIFE receives grant for new credit counseling programFebruary 06, 2008Amy Schmitzaemehrin@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) has been awarded a $2,250 grant from American International Group Inc. to develop a three-year Credit Counseling Challenge, a credit counseling program for first-year students and seniors on the SU campus. The grant is a part of nearly $1 million that AIG has awarded SIFE groups nationwide. The program’s goal is to educate first-year students about how to build credit and manage credit application offers, and to help seniors learn about loans and how credit affects a loan application.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to use these funds for a program that can potentially benefit SU’s students on many of their financial decisions,” says Amanda Nicholson, assistant professor of retail management and faculty advisor to SIFE. “SU SIFE works hard at reaching out to members of our community, and we are proud to now share with SU students financial planning knowledge. Many students walk out of college with huge amounts of debt and little personal financial knowledge. This is a great way for students to learn how to become aware.”

SIFE develops several community outreach projects throughout the academic year with the goal of exploring market economics, leadership skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business ethics.

AIG is the leading international insurance organization worldwide with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions.