SFS and Kindros: Financial Wellness Workshops

Come join Kindros this 2026-2027 year for a workshop series covering many financial topics benefiting students. From banking, budgeting, investing and so much more, students will leave feeling confident in their financial decision making.

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The below topics may be found here:

  1. Banking 101: Orientation to the U.S. Banking System

New to the U.S. banking system? Or just want to make sure you’re using your bank accounts wisely?

Learn the basics of how banking works in the United States and how to choose and use the accounts that fit your needs. We’ll cover checking and savings accounts, debit cards, bank fees, ATMs, direct deposit, checks, and transferring money—plus important things to know about keeping your money safe.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of:

  • Checking vs. savings accounts
  • Common banking fees and how to avoid them
  • Debit cards, ATMs, and direct deposit
  • Checks and other ways to access your money
  • Sending and receiving money in the U.S. and internationally
  • Questions to ask when choosing a bank or credit union

Schedule

  • Session 1: August 23 at 4:00 PM ET
  • Session 2: September 22 at 6:00 PM ET

40 minutes + Q&A

  1. Budgeting: Understanding Your Inflows and Outflows

Where does your money go—and how can you make it work harder for you?

Whether you’re living on financial aid, a paycheck, an assistantship, family support, or a combination of income sources, knowing what comes in and what goes out is an essential part of financial independence. This workshop will help you build a realistic budget that works with your actual student life.

We’ll cover:

  • Understanding your income and expenses
  • Separating needs, wants, and financial goals
  • Managing irregular income and expenses
  • Creating a spending plan you can actually follow
  • Preparing for unexpected expenses
  • Finding room to save while still enjoying life

Schedule

  • October 7 at 6:00 PM ET

40 minutes + Q&A

  1. Saving and Investing: How to Get Started

Think you need to make a lot of money before you can start saving or investing? Think again.

The earlier you understand saving and investing, the more time your money has to work for you. This workshop will break down the basics in straightforward language and help you understand where to begin—even if you’re starting with a small amount.

We’ll explore:

  • Why saving and investing are different
  • Building an emergency fund
  • Short-term vs. long-term financial goals
  • How compound growth works
  • The basics of investment accounts and retirement accounts
  • Asset classes (cash, bonds, stocks, and real estate)
  • Risk, diversification, and why they matter
  • How to get started when you don’t have much money

Schedule

  • November 17 at 6:00 PM ET

40 minutes + Q&A

  1. Taxes: Take the Fear Out of Filing

Taxes can feel complicated. They don’t have to be intimidating.

Whether you’re filing your first tax return, working while in school, completing an internship, or balancing multiple sources of income, this workshop will help you understand the basics of the U.S. tax system and what you need to know when tax season arrives.

We’ll cover:

  • How the U.S. tax system works
  • What a W-2, W-4, and 1099 are
  • The difference between income and taxable income
  • Federal vs. state taxes
  • Tax withholding and why it matters
  • Common tax forms students may encounter
  • What to expect when filing your tax return

Schedule

  • February 4 at 6:00 PM ET

40 minutes + Q&A

  1. Credit Scores and Credit Cards: From Swipe to Score

Don’t know how to get the first credit card? Want to improve your credit score?

Whether you’re building credit for the first time, thinking about opening your first credit card, or trying to understand why your score went up or down, this workshop will help you understand how credit works, and how to make it work for you.

We’ll cover:

  • What a credit score is and why it matters
  • The factors that affect your score
  • How your score impacts real costs like loan rates and monthly payments
  • The different types of credit cards and what sets them apart
  • Key terms to know before you apply
  • What to look for when choosing your first credit card
  • Tips for using credit responsibly from day one

Schedule

  • March 8 at 6:00 PM ET

40 minutes + Q&A