Financial wellness events
No matter where you are on your educational path, we have the tools to help you achieve success. Catch our live virtual events or watch a recording of a prior event. We discuss planning for school, financial aid, how to search for scholarships and more.
September 14, 2022 7:00 PM ET
Topic: Real Cost of College
Description: If college is in your future, you will want to join this webinar to help you plan and pay for college. You will learn about:
- Saving for college – it is never too late!
- How to select a college and how much it will cost
- FAFSA® - what, why and how
- Understanding a financial aid offer
- How to find and apply for scholarships and grants – FREE $$$
- Education loan options
- Free tools and resources to make the process easier
October 5, 2022 7:00 PM ET
Topic: The first step to finding the money you need for college: Completing the FAFSA®
Description: Join our experts for a discussion on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). We’ll share helpful tips and information to help you complete your FAFSA® and find the money you need to pay for college.
Nov 2, 2022 7:00 pm
Topic: Scholarships: Finding Free Money for College
Description: Scholarships can be a huge help to college-bound students and their families, but many don’t know where to find them, or how to apply. During this session students and families will learn key tips on applying for scholarships, how to create a winning scholarship essay, and more.
Upcoming professional development series
Resources, tools, and best practices to help you assist students and families on their higher education journey. Attend a free, live virtual event, or watch a recording of a prior event. Together we can help students make informed decisions and pursue their education with conidence.
September 28, 2022 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Join the conversations: Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education
Description: Higher education advances us as a society, opening doors, increasing lifetime earnings, and enabling economic mobility. Join our panel as we discuss how to prepare the next generation of leaders.
October 26, 2022 2:00 PM ET
Topic: How America Pays for College 2022
Description: Join us for a discussion of findings of “How America Pays for College 2022” - Sallie Mae’s annual national research study. We’ll discuss the range of funding sources families rely on to pay for college--from scholarships to 529s, and from federal grants to private student loans, evaluate trends that impact families’ strategies and uncover misconceptions that prevent some families from making college more affordable.
December 8, 2022 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Gen Z: It’s a VIBE. How we connect with a new generation of students
Description: The Student Experience: Strategies for Driving Student Engagement
Delivering a positive student experience relies on understanding their service expectations. This session will focus on distancing yourself from previously held expectations and exercising empathy in your student services role. Sallie Mae and a panel of college and university colleagues will discuss strategies for increasing the engagement with the students you serve.
February 22, 2023 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Paying for College: Expectations & Reality
Description: While most families agree that college is an investment in their student’s future, many are confused and stressed about paying for that education. Join this session where we explore what college-bound high school families know and expect about paying for college, and how that compares to the realities experienced by currently enrolled undergraduates. We will investigate how families’ understanding of available funding sources, attitudes and behaviors change as families begin and follow their higher education journey. The insights shared are based on two new research studies by Sallie Mae and Ipsos, College Confidence: What America Knows About Paying for College and How America Pays for College 2022.
Watch our past virtual events
How to Pay the Balance
April 2022
Many students and families will consider financing a portion of their college education. This session will focus on encouraging responsible borrowing and what students and families can do to find the right solution for their borrowing needs.
College Admission Tips
March 2022
During this virtual event we’ll demystify the admissions process, and you’ll gain valuable insights directly from admission professionals.
Topics will include:
- Importance of high school academic choices
- To take the ACT/SAT, or not
- Applying to colleges
- Essays and letters of recommendation
- Campus visits: in-person and virtual
- Your online presence
Navigating Financial Aid Offers
February 2022
After being accepted to college, you’ll receive a financial aid offer that outlines your financial aid eligibility at that specific school. Each financial aid offer will contain similar overall information but since there’s no standard format so they can be difficult to interpret. In the session you will learn how to decipher each financial aid offer so you can confidently determine which college is the best fit.
Scholarships- Finding Free Money for College
November 2021
Scholarships can be a huge help to college-bound students and their families, but many don’t know where to find them, or how to apply. During this session students and families will learn key tips on applying for scholarships, how to create a winning scholarship essay, and more.
Presented by Thalassa Naylor, Director, Relationship Management
Finding free money for college: Tips to help you complete the FAFSA and find the money you need for college
October 2021
Join our experts for a discussion on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). We’ll share helpful tips and information to help you complete your FAFSA® and find the money you need to pay for college.
The first step to finding the money you need for college Completing the FAFSA®
October 2021
Join our experts for a discussion on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). A panel of experts will share helpful tips and information to help you complete your FAFSA® and find the money you need to pay for college.
How America Completes College
April 2022
Four out of 10 U.S. undergraduates never finish college. Join us for a discussion of findings from a new research study by Sallie Mae and Ipsos on the factors that impact a student’s journey to college graduation. We’ll explore high school and college support systems, education motivations and perceptions, and more to identify barriers and opportunities to support students and families as they work toward achieving a college degree.
Presented by Annat Shrabstein, Director, Consumer Insights
Supporting Diversity and Inclusion: Increasing access to higher education
March 2022
Higher education advances us as a society, promoting new opportunities and greater economic mobility. Join us for a panel discussion on advancing student success through increased student engagement and support as we continue to open doors to higher education and increased lifetime learning.
College Confidence-What America knows about paying for college
February 2022
Every year, college-bound families ask themselves "How will we pay for college?" and for many, this subject is filled with confusion and stress. Join us as we discuss Sallie Mae’s new research study, College Confidence: What America Knows About Paying for College. We’ll examine how much families really know about financial aid, the FAFSA®, scholarships, and student loans; and evaluate perceptions and common misconceptions about college financing. Finally, we’ll highlight possible solutions to help families prepare for this vital part of getting a college education.
Presented by Annat Shrabstein Director, Consumer Insights
How Does America Pay for College
November 2021
How does America pay for college? Join us for a discussion of findings of “How America Pays for College 2021”, a national research study conducted by Sallie Mae® and Ipsos. We’ll discuss the range of funding sources families rely on to pay for college--from scholarships to 529s, and from federal grants to private student loans--and evaluate trends that impact decisions about how to pay.
Presented by Annat Shrabstein Director, Consumer Insights