Financial Literacy

Learn about student loans

  • Create a four-year plan for student loan borrowing during college.
  • Review your Federal Direct Loan History and Lender Servicers through studentaid.gov- You will need your user name and password used for the FAFSA.
  • Use a loan repayment Loan Simulator.
  • Understand Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized loans.
  • Review the various federal student loan repayment options.

Making good financial decisions

  • Set up a budget to compare the money you have vs. the money you plan to spend. Use a spreadsheet to organize your expenses vs. income. Break out your budget into categories such as:
    • books
    • meals or entertainment
    • splurges or big ticket items
  • Put aside a portion of your summer or school-year earnings for books in future semesters.
  • Consider ways to maximize summer earnings and investigate internship funding through Gettysburg’s Center for Career Engagement. Think long- term: taking a lower (or even non-paying) internship may help you secure a more competitive job after Gettysburg.
  • If living in an apartment, have conversations before the semester begins about contributions to expenses. If living off-campus and paying various utilities or other bills, discuss and determine expectations for how and when roommates will share these additional costs.
  • Research possible future earnings for various careers through the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Tips for talking about finances with your parents

  • Appreciate their contributions, both in terms of their time as well as finances, to your success over the years.
  • Ask them when it's best to talk finances. Would they prefer to schedule a specific time?
  • Encourage an open conversation, allowing them to share what they feel comfortable.
  • Bring up what you are prepared to contribute, either in terms of financial contributions through summer/school year earnings, loans or other resources.
  • Help them to understand your short-term and long-term goals (even if they aren't financial goals) and what you are doing to work towards them.

Other campus resources

  • Center for Career Engagement- maximize your post-graduate opportunities and find out about externships, internships and on-campus programs.
  • Center for Global Education- understand the financial benefits of Gettysburg's affiliated off-campus study programs.
  • Student Accounts- get to know your billing statement or contact your Student Accounts Representative.

Other useful websites