Written by Sarah DiStefano and Anna Fodor
This is the eighth in a series of weekly blog posts about Marquette Law School’s Office of Student Affairs operations. Scroll to the bottom for links to previous posts in this series.
It’s no secret that law school is a huge investment of time, effort, and of course money. We clearly believe this investment is worthwhile. Otherwise, we cannot in good conscience do what we do—namely, our efforts to support students pursuing a legal education. Like any large investment, this one requires care and attention.
But for a variety of reasons, whether it’s because we already have too much to worry about, because we’ve been taught not to discuss it, or because it’s just easier to think of it as a “tomorrow” problem. It’s important to talk and think about money and student loans. , and our earning potential could be very difficult.
We recognize both its importance and its difficulty, which is why the Office of Student Affairs is committed to promoting financial education resources and services designed specifically for law students.
The law school has partnered with the nonprofit AccessLex Institute to provide students with free access to financial education resources through the MAX program. Students receive information on how to enroll in the MAX program early in the summer before law school begins (pre-orientation) and receive access to webinars, free advice from certified financial counselors, and scholarship opportunities at any point throughout the law are available. school career.
We also have great partners on campus, including financial aid counselors and loan advisors who work with students (as well as faculty and staff) to address short-term financial needs and develop smart long-term loan repayment plans. It’s all over the place. It depends on individual circumstances.
These efforts culminate in our annual Financial Wellness Week program. Why call it economic “wellness”? Is that another way to incorporate current buzzwords into the show? Well, sure. But it’s mainly about recognizing the fact that by taking control of your finances now, you can reduce anxiety about your future path.
Ultimately, we will be able to take stock of our personal finances, learn and implement smart money habits, and set achievable financial goals. We believe that addressing these issues openly and non-judgmentally is part of our mission to care for the whole person.
But let’s be clear: While we may know about a student loan or five, we are not financial experts ourselves. Luckily, we know some of these people and are proud to feature them in this year’s Financial Wellness Week program. Our sessions include:
Advance planning: Student loan repayment information session
Tuesday, March 26th at noon
Join Michael Tyndall, Senior Loan Account Advisor at the Marquette University Scholarship Office, to learn more about the different repayment options available to new graduates, effective strategies for managing debt and finances after graduation, and more. Provides an overview of the entire process of managing types of student loans. This session is open to all students and is especially helpful for those graduating her 3L.
Tax Savvy Student: Maximize Tax Savings, Minimize Stress
Wednesday, March 27th, noon
April 15th is approaching. Join us for this session to hear our tax expert, Associate Dean Vada Lindsay, share her own experience with tax preparation and how she approaches tax season with a smooth and minimal stress. Let’s talk about Deika. Learn why it’s still important to file your tax return even if it’s not required by law. Dean Lindsay will also share insights on how students can maximize tax savings that will benefit them for years to come.
Expenses related to public interest activities
Thursday, March 28, 12:15 p.m.
Are you considering a career in public interest law after graduate school? Not sure how to manage salary expectations and student loan repayments? Want to know how we eliminated massive student loan debt? Join the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Public Service and welcome attorney Karen Bauer to help you manage public interest activities, student loan repayments, loan forgiveness, and more. Let me tell you about my experience. To kick off the event, attendees will learn more about the Howard and Phyllis Eisenberg Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).
We hope that students find these sessions useful and are able to take advantage of the resources available to them. We talk a lot about the health of the legal profession. To have a complete and honest conversation, you should also include your financial health.
Previous posts in this series:
