Managing Finances in Graduate School
Below are resources students may use to make informed financial decisions regarding their college education. The resources below include online tools that help students better understand college costs, financial aid, student loan repayment, filing taxes, and other important topics related to financial literacy.
CSULB Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The College of Business offers a site for an I.R.S. program that provides free income tax preparation to low-income, students, elderly, non-resident, disabled, and limited English proficient individuals. The CSULB VITA site is available to qualifying taxpayers with an income level of $54,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing for federal and state tax returns. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.
The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has developed GradSense, an online education platform that offers students financial information about a range of topics including the value of pursuing an advanced degree. Using interactive visualization tools and engaging infographics, students are able to learn about issues related to borrowing and spending, potential future earnings, and money management. You can find GradSense on Twitter or on Facebook.
MyMoney.gov
A U.S. government website dedicated to financial education on matters such as buying a home, balancing a checkbook, and investing in retirement. Tools include calculators, worksheets, and checklists.
Paying for College (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
This website provides information about making informed financial decisions concerning paying for college. Tools help users compare financial aid and college costs, identify the best loan, manage college money, and repay student debt.
