Financial Wellness

• COMMUNITY FINANCIAL RESOURCES

  • Drive-in Wi-Fi - public Wi-Fi hot spots providing free temporary, emergency internet access for Washingtonians.
    
    
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Clark County, WA
    
    
  • Clark County hot spots locations
    
    
  • Resources for the Homebound - a list of resources for the homebound.
    
    
  • 211info - connects people with health and social service organizations in SW Washington
    
    
  • Resources for students - who were laid off or their business closed due to COVID-19
    
    
  • DSHS Cash Assistance - disaster cash assistance for some Washingtonians 
    
    
  • Washington Connections - food stamp program

    After individuals apply, please call 1-877-501-2233 to complete the “interview” before 2PM, M-F. Do not wait for someone to call as might be indicated after you submit your application for benefits.

  • Clark County Food Bank - food bank listings for SW Washington
    Distribution methods and locations have changed because of COVID-19

  • Comcast - low cost, high speed internet and low cost computers
    
    
  • Cultural Resources include Latin Community Resource Group, PFLAG, NAACP, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
    
    
  • Washington State Department of Financial Institutions - focuses on unemployment benefits, debt management, rental assistance, and more
    
    
  • Council for the Homeless - resource for rent assistance, shelter, and affordable housing programs
    
    
  • Washington State Governor’s office - resource list for impacted Washington businesses, workers, schools, veterans, insurance, and more
    
    
  • Washington State Employment Security Department - information for workers and businesses affected by COVID-19, including applying for unemployment benefits and expanded unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.
    
    
  • Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission - energy assistance programs and assistance
    
    
  • Clark Public Utilities - utilities services programs and information
    
    
  • City of Vancouver Public Works - water, sewer, storm water, and solid waste and recycling
    
    
  • Clark College Counseling and Health Center - counseling and mental health support information
    
    
  • Battle Ground Public Schools - support for families during school closures
    
    
  • Evergreen Public Schools - support for families during school closures
    
    
  • Vancouver Public Schools - support for families during school closures
    
    
  • Workforce SW - resources for businesses and individuals
    
    
  • Local Employment Opportunities - remote and on-site current job opportunities in SW Washington and surrounding area
    
    

Meet with a Financial Wellness Coach

In a coaching session, you can ask questions about you and your family's financial situation, create a budget that represents their current expenses and income, and discuss future financial goals. The Financial Wellness Coach will provide information, tools, and resources the student can use to reach those goals and manage their current finances.

Please contact a Financial Wellness Coach to schedule an appointment at email Financialwellness@clark.edu

Upcoming Events

Financial Wellness Workshops are offered each term. Topics like Better Banking, Destroy Debt, Conquer Credit , Financial Preparedness, and Economic Impact to Your Finances will be offered.

Visit the Student Success Workshop page for more information about upcoming events.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in an event, you should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-992-0901 VP, or visit Disability Support Services (PUB 013) as soon as possible.

Budgeting

Whether you call it a Spending Plan or a Budget, deciding where your money will go each month can have a positive impact on your personal finances no matter your income. Having a plan for your money allows you to make informed decisions about your spending, make and achieve future goals, and maintain your finances when the unexpected (and possibly expensive) happens.

Creating your first Spending Plan can be tough, so here are a few resources that could help get you started:

• You can track your spending habits, set up account alerts, and create goals for saving with Mint, Personal Capital, YouNeedABudget.com, or Tiller.
• Microsoft Excel also has a selection of budgeting templets available for you to use.

Debt Elimination

Here is a list of resources that can help you manage and/or elminate your debt:

• When you are thinking about taking out a loan, be sure to identify the loan amount, interest rate, and minimum payment. You can use this information to see if the loan would put strain on your monthly budget or cause you to pay more than you would like in interest.
• If you have student loans, visit the Clark College Direct Loan Repayment page for information about repayment options, responsibilities, and contact information if you have questions.
• If you qualify, Community Housing Resource Center can help you explore your options for getting out of debt. They offer classes and counseling for debt settlement and credit restoration.
• Unbury.me is a free tool to help create and visualize the Debt Avalanche and Debt Snowball repayment plans. 

Credit Cards

A credit card can be a powerful tool if used correctly, but can negitivly impact your finances if mishandled. Here are some tips and resources to help you find then use your credit card to support your financial wellness:

• You can explore current credit card services that fit your needs at Wallethub or at Bankrate.
• Having an established relationship with a bank or credit union could assist you in getting approved even if you have no credit history. Be sure to check with your service provider if you are looking to open a credit card account.
• Aim to pay your credit card bill completely each and every month. If you do this you will not have to pay interest and will be doing positive things for your credit score!
• Try to only use your credit card to pay for fixed expenses; expenses that stay the same price month to month. This way you will never be suprised by your credit card bill, making it easier to manage.
• If you feel overwhelmed by credit card debt, you can contact Community Housing Resource Center to see if you qualify for assistance. (also check out the section titled Manage Debt on this page for more information)

Credit Score

Your credit score has a large effect on your financial wellness. The better your credit score, the easier it is to qualify for financial services like home or car loans with lower interest rates, smaller monthly payments, and reduced fees. Here are some tools for you to use to keep up with your credit score:

• Check your credit score and/or locate debt at any time for no charge at Credit Karma.com.
• Mint.com also offers monthly credit score updates.
• Request a credit report for free once per year from each of the three main credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com.
• There are additional Consumer Reporting Companies where you can review your credit reports related to employment, tenant, bank, personal property insurance, medical, utilities, retail, and more. The contact information for these can be found at ConsumerFinance.gov.

If you are facing a financial emergency, Clark College offers emergency assistance, whenever possible, in the form of emergency grants.

There are CARES federal emergency grants and Institutional emergency grants available to eligible students. When you fill out the universal emergency grant application, your application will be reviewed and, whenever possible, matched with the grant(s) best aligned with your needs/eligibility.

For fall term, the emergency grant application opens Monday, September 21 and closes Thursday, December 10. Students must re-apply each term.

To apply for an emergency grant, scroll to the application below.

If, after reviewing the FAQ below, you have additional questions, please email SEAG@clark.edu.

Institutional Emergency Grants

Institutional grants vary in eligibility requirements. Most emergency grants require expense documentation and pay the vendor directly. Awards typically range from $100-$2,000. Institutional emergency grants can affect financial aid packages. Institutional emergency grants are not available to Running Start applicants.

CARES Emergency Grant

The total amount and method(s) will depend on a student's expense(s) related to the disruption of campus operations due to  Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The grant funds up to $3,000 for fall term.

CARES Fund Eligibility Requirements*

• Currently enrolled students
• Must have completed the FAFSA (2020-2021) or be eligible to complete the FAFSA
• If you are eligible to do so, you may complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• To see if you qualify to complete the FAFSA, go to www.studentaid.gov
• Must not be in loan default of Pell overpayment status
• Returning students must be in good/warning status for Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

*Under the U.S.Department of Education guidelines, international, Running Start, Transitional Studies, most non-citizens, and DACA students are not currently eligible for CARES Act funds.

 

Apply Now

If you have any questions or are experiencing problems filling out this application, please email SEAG@clark.edu. 
Visit 211info.org or click on the Resources tab above, at the top of this list, for information about help services like safe housing, food programs, health care and job training.