Don't let money stress stop your school success.
Get free financial education services from the Centre for Financial Empowerment
in Learner Success Services.
Financial Coaching
FINANCIAL COACH INDIGENOUS FINANCIAL COACH
Bow Valley College students can get free, confidential financial advice from an unbiased Financial Coach:
- Take control of your money,
- Manage your spending (sample budget),
- Save for unexpected expenses,
- Understand bank accounts and fees,
- Manage debt,
- Learn the best use of credit cards,
- Build your financial wellness.
Financial Fitness
Are you ready to get financially fit? These workshops give you a chance to explore your financial health and set-up a financial fitness routine that meets your needs. It is recommended that you participate in both workshops 1 and 2 to maximize the benefits of the sessions. Click here to register.
Financial Fitness 1
- Complete a financial health check,
- Explore your money personality,
- Create a supportive financial network.
Financial Fitness 2
- Set-up a financial goal,
- Create a spending plan.
Fall 2023 Schedule
| Date | Time | Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 15 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Financial Fitness 1 |
| Friday, September 29 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Financial Fitness 2 |
| Friday, October 13 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Financial Fitness 1 |
| Friday, October 27 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Financial Fitness 2 |
| Friday, November 17 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Financial Fitness 1 |
| Friday, December 1 | 1:00 - 2:30pm | Financial Fitness 2 |
Financial Empowerment Boot Camps
Get a head start on school by managing your money and finances. In our boot camps offered during New Student Orientation, you can learn about budgeting, banking, tips for saving money and fraud prevention.
Financial Literacy Month
November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. Watch for special events, guest speakers, and other financial education activities. To learn about financial literacy in Canada, check out the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 8 | 11:00am 1:00pm | Financial Wellness Fair |
Indigenous Financial Empowerment
Bow Valley College provides culturally appropriate money management services and programs to support Indigenous students with their financial wellness. Meet with an Indigenous Financial Coach to work on your personal financial goals, attend workshops, or participate in the Seasons of Saving program. For more information contact Indigenous Financial Coach.
Fall 2023 Schedule
| Date | Time | Topic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, September 12 | 12:30 - 1:30pm | The value of self-worth. | |
| Tuesday, September 26 | 12:30 - 1:30pm | Change your spending behavior. | |
| Tuesday, October 10 | 12:30 - 1:30pm | Medicine Wheel teaching: breaking cycles and finding balance. | |
| Tuesday, October 24 | 12:30 - 1:30pm | Time is an investment: planning and budgeting. | |
| Tuesday, November 7 | 12:30 - 1:30pm | Our home is sacred: how environment impacts our spending. | |
Matched Savings Programs
Earn while you learn! You can earn up to $600 in matched savings while learning tips to help you manage your money and save. Improve your money management skills, save $20, $30, $40, or $50 each month during the semester and we match your savings 3 times. Spend your savings and the bursary (award) on tuition, books and materials for your classes, a laptop, debt repayment, childcare, your children's education (RESP), or emergency savings. Do you have questions about Matched Savings? Contact us at financialcoach@bowvalleycollege.ca.
Matched Savings Bursary
This is a 4-month program (1 semester) for eligible domestic Bow Valley College students. The program is offered in Winter (January to April), Spring (May to August), and Fall (September to December) semesters. Participants attend 8 money management workshops scheduled throughout the semester (11 hours) and earn 11 hours towards their co-curricular record. Applicants must be registered in a Bow Valley College program and be in good standing (no academic probation, no outstanding fees). Schedule an interview with the program facilitator before applying at the student awards portal.
| Application Deadline | Program Offered |
|---|---|
| August 1 | Fall (September to December) |
| December 1 | Winter (January to April) |
| April 1 | Spring (May to August) |
Seasons of Saving
This is a 4-month (1 semester) culturally appropriate program for eligible First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Bow Valley College students. This is an online, self-paced program offered in Winter (January to April), Spring (May to August), and Fall (September to December) semesters. Students complete 4 online money management modules (10 hours) throughout the semester, participate in Sharing Circles, and earn 10 hours towards their co-curricular record. Applicants must be registered in a Bow Valley College program and be in good standing (no academic probation, no outstanding fees). For more information contact Indigenous Financial Coach.
Money Bites
Join these 30-minutes lunch time virtual sessions on a variety of money management topics. Click here to register.
Fall 2023 Schedule
| Date | Time | Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| September 14 | 12:30 -1:00pmpm | Choosing a bank account. |
| September 28 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Meal planning, part 1. |
| October 5 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Meal planning, part 2. |
| October 16 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Explore credit products. |
| November 2 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Is credit right for you? |
| November 9 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Why is credit history important? |
| November 16 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Understanding credit cards |
| November 23 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Choosing a credit card. |
| November 30 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Personal values and spending. |
| December 7 | 12:30 - 1:00pm | Creating a money support system. |
Expert Guest Speakers
Have your financial questions answered by a subject-matter expert. Click here to register.
Fall 2023 Schedule
| Date | Time | Topic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, September 21 | 12:00 - 1:00pm |
ATB Financial: Ask the Banker. |
|
| Tuesday, October 3 | 12:00 - 1:00pm |
Alberta Securities Commission: Starting your investment journey. |
|
| Tuesday, October 10 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | Alberta Securities Commission: Recognizing and avoiding investment scams. | |
| Thursday, October 12 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | Momentum: Disability Tax Credit and RDSP | |
| Thursday, October 26 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | ATB Financial: Opening an RDSP account. | |
| Tuesday, November 7 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | Alberta Securities Commission: DIY investing. | |
| Tuesday, November 21 | 12:00 - 1:00pm | Alberta Securities Commission: Investing in cryptocurrencies. | |
Tax Time
Watch for special events in February and March to get you ready for tax season:
- Guest speakers and workshops,
- Information about tax filing,
- Tax clinics.
For information about resources available visit our Tax Time page.
Resources
Bow Valley College Financial Wellness Workbook.
Momentum Online Money Management Courses.
Momentum QUBER Savings App.
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada website.
Prosper Canada Benefits Wayfinder tool.
Alberta Securities Commission Check First.
