NMSU Red to Green Financial Wellness Program Educates Students on Financial Wellness

LAS CRUCES, N.M., April 5 -- New Mexico State University issued the following news:

With April recognized as Financial Literacy Month, New Mexico State University Red to Green Financial Wellness Program and Career Services are participating in a national initiative to increase personal finance knowledge and raise awareness about the importance of that topic.

This issue is especially important for students taking out loans or those accumulating credit card debts, as they are often not properly educated on the consequences and fiscal responsibility that go along with managing their finances.

In order to educate students about the significance of being financially literate, NMSU's Red to Green Financial Wellness Program will host its Annual Financial Wellness Fair, sponsored in part by Wells Fargo. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, on the first floor of Corbett Center Student Union.

"Helping people in our community succeed financially is one of our core values at Wells Fargo," said Courage Idemudia, vice president and district manager at Wells Fargo. "And financial education is one of the most important steps to financial success. That's why our team members volunteer to teach financial literacy to people of all ages through our 'Hands on Banking' program. It's a fun, free resource we can take into the schools and out in the community."

Multiple businesses involved in financial services - banks, credit unions, investment firms and debt management companies - will be in attendance at the fair. These organizations will provide resources related to financial literacy, such as information about identity theft, credit score and reports, responsible use of credit cards, student financial aid and investments.

American Document Services will provide free document shredding at NMSU from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 12 to help students, faculty and staff reduce their risk of identity theft. Bring old checkbooks, banking and credit card statements and personal documents to have them shredded on site. The truck shredder can accept paper with staples and paper clips, but not large binder clips or notebooks.

"We're trying to educate students about student loans, identity theft, managing debt, free annual credit report, FICO score interpretation and other valuable financial information. Being financially literate is an important part of life. We want students to be truly interested in learning about making good choices with their money that will impact them now and into their future," said Roseanne Bensley, associate director for NMSU Career Services.

For students who are unable to attend the Financial Wellness Fair, or those who would like to further their financial wellness education, NMSU's Red to Green Financial Wellness Program offers private appointments and a free, self-paced tool called Inceptia's Financial Avenue. To schedule an appointment call 575-646-1631. To access financial literacy resources go to http://careerservices.nmsu.edu/red-to-green.