The University of Toledo welcomed more than 500 local high school students to participate in an interactive game designed to teach them about financial literacy on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Finances 101, developed by the Northwest Ohio Credit Union Alliance, is presented several times each year throughout northwest Ohio. It tasks students with building a budget and navigating a life-sized game board that simulates real-world financial scenarios as a means of preparing them for the responsibilities they’ll face in college and beyond.
Maryam Sediqe, assistant director of UToledo’s Center for International Studies and Programs, watches as Genoa High School’s Colby Ralston of spins a wheel during Finances 101.
In tackling expected monthly expenses as well as surprises — like emergency room stints or winning lottery tickets — students learn what it costs to run a household, how earnings impact lifestyle and why it’s important to make sound financial decisions.
“Students often wonder how classroom lessons connect to the real world,” said Mollee Williamson, a senior financial wellness counselor at UToledo. “Finances 101 addresses their questions by allowing them to step into adult roles, manage a household budget and see firsthand the impact of their financial choices. It’s a chance to experience the ups and downs of financial decision-making in a safe space where mistakes become lessons and successes build lasting confidence.”
Students from more than a dozen regional high schools participated in Finances 101. In addition to the interactive game and financial literacy presentations, the day encompassed campus tours and an opportunity to hear directly from UToledo admission counselors about their next steps after high school.
Finances 101 was presented by UToledo’s Special Accounts and Financial Wellness Office in partnership with the Northwest Ohio Credit Union Alliance.
UToledo’s Financial Wellness Office is committed to raising awareness and access to financial education resources on and off campus. Its counselors offer a variety of presentations, workshops and one-on-one counseling to equip UToledo students with the tools and confidence to navigate college expenses and pursue their career paths with financial stability. They also partner with high schools and community organizations across the region for off-campus presentations and workshops like “Preparing to Pay for College.”
For more information, go to the Financial Wellness Office website.
