SMMC News & Events Blog

Podcast: How App Design Shapes Financial Behavior and Why It Works

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:00:00 CDT

In episode 129 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber take a deep dive into how the apps we use are designed to shape your experience and subtly nudge your brain toward certain decisions every time you log in.

SMMC Grad Hourly Job Opening at Urbana

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:00:00 CDT

Are you looking for an opportunity to enhance your professional skills while in school as well as your knowledge of personal finance? University Bursar's Student Money Management Center has a job opening at Urbana!

Apply to be an SMMC Support Specialist!

Podcast: Comparing Private Student Loans

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 CDT

In episode 128 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea discuss how to compare private education loans as federal student loan changes shift how students are able to fund their degrees.

Podcast: What Happens to the Data You Feed LLMs?

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 29 May 2026 09:30:00 CDT

In episode 127 of Making Cents of Money, our very own SMMC Support Specialist, Emmy Tither, joined the podcast to talk about how your data may be used with generative AI like large language models (LLMs) and what to do to protect yourself.

From SAVE to Forgiveness: A PSLF Guide for Federal Borrowers

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 CDT

Federal borrowers in public service who never made a payment due to the pandemic pause or SAVE plan forbearance may still qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Follow these steps to see if you're eligible and what to do now if you are.

Buying vs. Renting a Home

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:00:00 CDT

Watch this recorded webinar to make informed housing decisions by learning to calculate true ownership costs beyond mortgage payments, evaluate market conditions, and assess your personal financial situation.

Podcast: Student Loan Management Transitioning in 2026

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 05 May 2026 17:30:00 CDT

In episode 126 of Making Cents of Money, Zach Smith from AccessLex joins to discuss upcoming shifts related to federal student loans in the coming 2026-2027 academic year after a series of legislative changes.

Signed, Sealed, Scammed - The Data Behind Social Engineering Scams

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Sahil Shimpi) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:45:00 CDT

Learn how to spot social engineering traps, protect your bank accounts, and recover from modern fraud, with practical strategies for slowing down under pressure, verifying familiar brands, and securing your identity before a scam costs you.

So You Want to Be an Influencer?

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:00:00 CDT

Thinking about content creation as a career or side hustle? The creator economy is worth $250 billion but the financial reality is more complicated than it looks. Our newest blog covers what you actually need to know: income volatility, emergency funds, FTC disclosure rules, business structure, and self-employment taxes. Go in with clear eyes.

Student Loan Management

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:00:00 CDT

Watch this recorded webinar to master effective strategies for managing student loan debt by learning about repayment options, forgiveness programs, refinancing considerations, and techniques to pay off loans faster.

Podcast: Illinois Digital Assets Update and Webpage Launch

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 CDT

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).

Know What You Owe Challenge - Spring 2026

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 CDT

About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge which runs until May 1.

Federal Student Loan Repayment Wizard

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:15:00 CDT

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 CDT

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Sahil Shimpi) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:45:00 CDT

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.

Cover Your Assets: Protect Yourself with Insurance

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:00:00 CST

Watch this recorded webinar to learn how insurance protects your financial security by exploring different coverage types including health, auto, renters, and life insurance to get the best value for your protection dollars.

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:00 CST

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.

Investing 102: Risks & Rewards

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:00:00 CST

Watch this recorded webinar to advance your investment knowledge with strategies for protecting your investments, diversification techniques, performance evaluation tools, and risk management to optimize long-term results.

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:30:00 CST

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.

Investing 101: Wealth Building Basics

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:00:00 CST

Watch this recorded webinar to start your wealth-building journey by learning fundamental investing concepts, exploring different investment options, understanding risk and return, and creating a simple investment strategy.

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:00:00 CST

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither, edited by Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:30:00 CST

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:15:00 CST

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

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:45:00 CST

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.

Demystifying the Financial Aid Process

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:00:00 CST

Watch this recorded webinar to master financial aid applications by learning to navigate FAFSA forms confidently, understand different types of aid, identify scholarship opportunities, and avoid costly mistakes.