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.
Navigating Financial Aid Offers
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7PM ET /6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT
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.
Helping Black Families Navigate the Admissions Process
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 7PM ET /6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT
Join us for a discussion with Timothy L. Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown, authors of “The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions.” Fields and Herndon-Brown are experts with extensive experience in college admissions. We’ll discuss everything you need to know to navigate college admissions, including important factors Black students should consider when choosing a college.
Panelists include:
- Timothy L. Fields, Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Emory University
- Shereem Herndon-Brown, Founder and Chief Education Officer, Strategic Admissions Advice
Tuesday, March 22, 2023 at 7PM ET /6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT
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
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 confidence.
Paying for College: Expectations & Reality
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 2pm ET/1pm CT/ 12pm MT/ 11am PT
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
Navigating College Admissions & Financial Aid for First Generation Students
November 2022
College students often face many firsts that begin well before they step foot on a college campus. The entire college admissions and financial aid process can seem overwhelming for most students, but especially for students who will be the first in their family to consider going to college. We will be hosting a live event with panelists from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, On Point for College, and a Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship winner.
Scholarships: Finding Free Money for College
November 2022
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.
The first step to finding the money you need for college: Completing the FAFSA®
October 2022
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.
What is the real cost of college? How to plan now
September 2022
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.
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.
The Student Experience: Strategies for Driving Student Engagement
December 2022
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.
How America Pays for College 2022
October 2022
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.
Join the conversation: Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education
September 2022
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.
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.
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.