SMMC News & Events Blog
This blog highlights news, events, and informative articles on personal finance from University of Illinois System's Student Money Management Center. Feel free to navigate to different categories with the list of topics on the right or search for a specific topic next to the view all link below.

  • Podcast: Illinois Digital Assets Update and Webpage Launch

    by Andrea PellegriniApr 1, 2026 12:00 pm

     In episode 125 of Making Cents of Money, Jake Hamilton returns as a guest to tell us about a new resource for consumers and businesses regarding digital assets (e.g., cryptocurrencies). 

  • Federal Student Loan Repayment Wizard

    by Andrea PellegriniMar 31, 2026 1:15 pm

    Generative AI was used to repurpose a Decision Tree created by Access Lex into an interactive tool to help Federal student loan borrowers understand their repayment options during the implementation transition of OBBBA legislative changes to loans.

  • Podcast: Managing Risk with Insurance, Part 2: Coverage & Compliance

    by Andrea PellegriniMar 31, 2026 12:00 pm

    In episode 124 of Making Cents of Money, Corbin McGhee joins us again to continue our conversation on insurance from Part 1 published in early February.

  • Mind the Gap - Financial Survival Tips for the Post-Grad Waiting Period

    by Sahil ShimpiMar 23, 2026 4:45 pm

    Learn how to stretch your money, protect your mental health, and build a financial safety net during the post-graduation gap, with practical strategies for survival budgeting, bridge jobs, and managing student loans before your first payment hits.

  • Podcast: Considering Income-Driven Repayment for Federal Student Loans? Act by April 1

    by Andrea PellegriniMar 3, 2026 12:00 pm

    In episode 123 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins to discuss an upcoming deadline for anyone who is considering a Direct Consolidation Loan for their currently held federal loans. If you want the flexibility of current Income-Driven Repayment plans, listen in. 

  • Ready to Invest? Here's How to Actually Get Started

    by Emmy TitherFeb 16, 2026 1:30 pm

    Not sure where to begin with investing? This post breaks it down into six manageable steps — from building a financial foundation and figuring out how much you can contribute, to choosing the right platform for your goals. Wherever you're starting from, there's an approach that fits your situation. 

  • Podcast: Managing Risk with Insurance, Part 1: Why and How

    by Andrea PellegriniFeb 6, 2026 12:00 pm

    Making Cents of Money is partnering with the Illinois Department of Insurance’s Corbin Mcghee for a two-part series about Managing Risk with Insurance. In Part 1, learn why insurance is important and how the coverage you select impacts your wallet and your peace of mind.  

  • Stocks vs. Crypto

    by Emmy Tither, edited by Andrea PellegriniFeb 3, 2026 12:30 pm

    This article compares stocks and cryptocurrency as investment options, focusing on risk management for new investors. Stocks offer established regulatory protections, proven diversification strategies, and centuries of historical data, while crypto represents a newer asset class with extreme volatility, limited oversight, and minimal performance history. The key message is that both require informed decision-making, but they serve different risk tolerances and investment goals.

  • Understand Your Refund Challenge - Spring 2026

    by SMMC StaffFeb 2, 2026 11:15 am

    Many students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund. Learn answers to frequently asked questions about refunds and get entered to win one of five $50 gift cards.

  • Financial Feedback: Calculating Net Worth

    by Andrea PellegriniJan 30, 2026 2:45 pm

    There are many measures we can use to track our personal finances. Typically, we talk about the subjective measures of financial well-being in the Student Money Management Center, because we're focused on helping our learners understand the nuance of financial decisions. However, traditional, objective financial measures, like net worth, can also be helpful in tracking our progress towards financial goals and gaining confidence.