Washington State University

The Capital One College Financial Education Program

Freshman year is a transitional time, it brings new decisions, new choices, and new experiences every day. And college is whole new environment – for many it means learning to live on your own for the first time and learning to handle the responsibility of managing money. Many of the financial decisions you make today can follow you long after tomorrow.

The Washington State University Athletic Department and Capital One have partnered to present a program to help freshman WSU athletes learn about money management and develop the skills it takes to make responsible spending decisions today and long into the future.

The information in this program is designed to help students:

  • Recognize the importance of handling your money wisely,
  • Learn and understand basic money management skills,
  • Evaluate your personal spending habits,
  • Develop your own money-management goals, and
  • Learn to spot signs of potential financial trouble.

Our approach is to help you learn through your peers – older student athletes on campus who have already begun to experience some of the practical lessons of money management. Volunteer student mentors provide the core of our efforts. A team of student mentors have been trained to pass on basic financial education information and share some of the lessons they’ve learned through organized presentations and class forums. Perhaps in the next year or two, you will want to help future freshman students in the same way.

Capital One has joined with Visa to provide “Practical Money Skills for Life” financial educational materials and curriculum for the program. The WSU/Capital One Practical Money Skills for Students web site is designed to provide an additional resource for all students – whether you’re involved in the program or not. The site provides access to the program curriculum, tools, games and other general information that can help you learn how to make responsible budgeting and spending decisions.

The Practical Money Skills program and curriculum have been endorsed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA). Please explore this site for more information about being a student mentor, and additional web resources on finance, budgeting, saving and learning to manage your money.