Money Matters’ Interactive Workshops Intended To Help Students Better Understand the Importance of Making Informed College-Related Financial Decisions
San Rafael, Calif. (March 13, 2023) – 10,000 Degrees, an organization dedicated to empowering students to enter and graduate college in Santa Clara and seven other Bay Area counties, will host ‘Money Matters,’ an interactive financial aid literacy curriculum designed by 10,000 Degrees for high school students. ‘Money Matters’ workshops will be held at three East Side Union High School District campuses in San Jose, including William C. Overfelt High School, Andrew P. Hill High School, and Independence High School starting March 22, 2023. The workshops are part of a ‘Money Matters’ series that 10,000 Degrees is hosting at 15 of their partner schools across the Bay Area.
College-bound students participating in ‘Money Matters’ workshops will have the opportunity to juggle hypothetical budgets and pricing options for college-related expenses (including books, transportation, computer, and housing). During the workshops, students will rotate between nine stations facilitated by 10,000 Degrees staff and volunteers, and will be challenged to make difficult budgeting decisions, including being encouraged to spend more than they should on products and services they may or may not need. The objective of the ‘Money Matters’ workshops is for students to leave with a better understanding of their college financial aid options, and a realization that post-secondary education can be affordable.
‘Money Matters’ Workshop Objectives:
- Students learn through their decision-making that college is possible and affordable by accessing free financial aid and making thoughtful and informed choices about where to spend their money.
- Students grow their advocacy skills by discovering what steps they need to take to find additional financial resources.
- Students learn the importance of submitting a financial aid application (FAFSA/CADA).
- Students begin to understand college-related expenses and how financial aid plays a role in reducing out-of-pocket costs.
- Students begin building relationships with 10,000 Degrees staff and learn about 10,000 Degrees programs, services, and resources offered at their campus.
- Students receive information about scholarships, administered by 10,000 Degrees.
- Students learn about the 10,000 Degrees College Opportunities Summit, a college summer prep program, that will support them to strongly start their senior year and college journey.
“10,000 Degrees is committed to helping students enter and graduate from college. However, transitioning from high school to college is not easy for many students, especially for first-generation college students. ‘Money Matters’ will provide students with hands-on experience that will help them understand the importance of making smart financial decisions as they prepare to enter college,” said Maria Hernandez, director of curriculum and engagement at 10,000 Degrees. “We would also like to thank our corporate volunteers, whose expertise and contributions – alongside that of our dedicated staff – will help make this important learning experience a complete success.”
“10,000 Degrees’ programs and resources have proven to help our students develop new skills and broaden their college aspirations. However, many students worry about the growing cost of a college education, and that can sometimes negatively impact academic performance and graduation rates,” said Glenn Vander Zee, superintendent for the East Side Union High School District and 10,000 Degrees South Bay advisory board member. “Financial literacy programs such as ‘Money Matters’ can help students alleviate some college-affordability concerns, while also providing students with the necessary resources to help them attend and successfully complete a college education.”
Community Support
10,000 Degrees is hosting the ‘Money Matters’ workshop series at 15 of their partner schools across the Bay Area. 10,000 Degrees will work with corporate partner volunteers at each workshop, including many in the financial sector. Volunteers scheduled to attend upcoming workshops come from companies such as Google, Adobe, LinkedIn, Salesforce, PG&E, Bank of America, Mechanics Bank, Excite Credit Union, IEQ Capital, Makena Capital, Okta, Star One Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, Exchange Bank, County Federal Credit Union, Sereno, WestAmerica Bank, Kroll LLC Team, NY Life Insurance, and Umpqua Bank.
Volunteers and 10,000 Degrees staff will work together at the’ Money Matters’ workshops to help students better understand the risks and challenges associated with making certain college-related budgeting decisions. Volunteers will be placed at various stations to sell items to students visiting their tables. In many cases, they will be tasked to “upsell” students on expensive items or they can help them pick the “financially responsible” item. This will also be an opportunity for students to interact with volunteers, many of whom work at financial institutions, and to see 10,000 Degrees programming in action.
WHEN:
William C. Overfelt High School:
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Andrew P. Hill High School:
Thursday, March 23, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Session 1)
12:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. (Session 2)
Independence High School:
Thursday, April 27, 2023
9:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (Session 1)
1:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Session 2)
WHERE:
- William C. Overfelt High School 1835 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA 95122
- Andrew P. Hill High School 3200 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95111
- Independence High School 617 N. Jackson Avenue, San Jose, CA 95133
To learn more about 10,000 Degrees programs and services, please visit www.10000degrees.org.
MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: If interested in attending a ‘Money Matters’ workshop, or to request an interview with a 10,000 Degrees representative, please contact Gus Nodal at gus.nodal@gmail.com / (415) 609-3438.
About 10,000 Degrees:
10,000 Degrees® is the leading, equity-focused scholarship provider and college success nonprofit in California that supports students from low-income backgrounds to and through college. 10,000 Degrees serves more than 12,000 students and their families each year with comprehensive wraparound support, college and financial aid counseling, near-peer alumni coaching, scholarships, and financial aid management. Unlike most other college success organizations, there is no GPA requirement to participate in 10,000 Degrees programs. Powered by Fellows, near-peer coaches who are recent college graduates and often alums of 10,000 Degrees, they are embedded in high school and college campuses to help students navigate life both on and off-campus and throughout their college success journey. With this innovative support model, 10,000 Degrees achieves unmatched success rates: Over 80% of 10,000 Degrees four-year college students earn bachelor’s degrees, compared to 31% of their peers nationally. 10,000 Degrees community college students transfer to and graduate from four-year colleges at a rate that’s three times the national average. 10,000 Degrees students also graduate with 88% less student loan debt than the national average. 10,000 Degrees operates in eight Bay Area counties – San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Lake – and works in 41 high schools, 56 community colleges, and 170 four-year colleges and universities across the nation. For more information about 10,000 Degrees, please visit www.10000degrees.org.