As peer mentors in Stanislaus State’s Financial Wellness Program, Lukas Sargizian and Kathia Frias enjoy helping other students become savvy about personal finance so they can make good decisions about paying for college and develop solid money management skills.
“I really like that I can do my part helping other students be financially stable,” said Sargizian, a first-year student from Turlock focused on general education. “Students just want to be sure they’re on the right path and making the best decisions for their futures. I understand, because that is what I want, too.”
Now in her second year as a peer mentor, Frias, a psychology major from Ceres who plans to graduate in 2025, finds being a mentor both educational and fulfilling.
“I like that this is student-to-student, and we are helping and supporting each other,” she said. “Since I started here, I’ve learned a lot about financial aid, loans and all the resources available to students, and I really like sharing that information to help others.”
Sargizian and Frias are on the front lines of the popular Financial Wellness Program offered to students by Stan State’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. With face-to-face activities picking up on campus after two years of pandemic restrictions, the program is operating at full speed this spring with long-standing features like peer mentors, in-person presentations, new-student orientation sessions and a full schedule of workshops, as well as a few new additions.
“We made the best of the pandemic by using the slowdown to overhaul our Financial Wellness Program and add new features that improve our service to students,” said Landy Gonzalez-Hernandez, interim assistant director of Financial Aid and Scholarship. “And with an IDEAs grant from the University, we were able to grow and enhance the program, even while we were dealing with the restrictions of the pandemic.”
Switching to an online format and adding Zoom access – originally introduced as a safety measure during the pandemic – has improved the program by making it more convenient and accessible, she said. It means students can now do more remotely including:
- Meet with a peer mentor or financial aid advisor,
- Attend a Financial Wellness workshop, and
- Participate in a Financial Aid Fridays Q&A session from 1-2 p.m. every Friday.
Upgrades funded by a $5,000 Innovate, Design, Excel and Assess for Success (IDEAS) grant include gear, technology and tabling supplies for peer mentor outreach activities and additional education for Gonzalez-Hernandez, who is using the knowledge she gained to fine-tune the program.
Improvements also have been made to the Financial Aid and Scholarship office webpage, allowing students to get information using a 24/7 “Ask the Warrior” chatbot that can link to a live agent during office hours.
When Sargizian and Frias are on duty, one of their assignments is to respond to the chatbot and provide information that answers questions or connect the inquirers with financial aid advisors. They also answer phones, post on social media, help with presentations and conduct outreach activities.
The two peer mentors agree it’s gratifying work.
“Every student’s situation is different, but I know for some it’s very difficult to afford college or even to afford the cost of living in general,” said Sargizian. “It feels good that we can help them figure it out and be successful, not just during their college years but in life.”
