I Owe How Much?! Financial Planning at VCC

By Gabrielle Dillard

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Valencia Community College's Dean of Students, Chris Klinger, is passionate about money. That is to say, he's passionate about helping Valencia College students manage their funds. On Thursday, Klinger held a lecture at VCC's Osceola Campus entitled "I Owe How Much?!?" that was all about helping students identify and deal with their financial debt.

"The most important part is planning," said Klinger. "Students seem to be afraid of that word, planning, but it's just so important."

According to Klinger, the number one reason for college drop-outs in America is financial commitment. He said during his lecture that education is one of the best reasons to create debt, but as some recent graduates soon find out, bad credit after graduation due to debt accrued in school can affect job placement. "Student loans never go away!" Klinger warned. "Sometimes not even after you die!"

During the Thrsday lecture, Klinger touched on some of the warning signs of impending financial trouble which include over-use of cash advances, returned or "bounced" checks, using one credit card to pay off another and delaying medical or dental attention for lack of funds. Klinger was particularly adamant about this last one, noting that it's often college students who choose to forgo their health in favor of a night out with friends or course material for their classes.

Noemi Rodriguez, one of the students who came to the event, was particularly interested in finding ways to pay down her credit cards. "Honestly, I originally came here because it was required," Rodriguez confessed. "But I have 2 credit cards that are maxed out and I know that's not good."

Another student, Omar Cooper, had a slightly different story. "I'm not in debt right now, but I'm worried that I might get there eventually," said Cooper. "I guess it's just better to be safe than sorry."

The lecture also included some useful information on where to go for financial assistance such as the Central Florida chapter of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) and Valencia's own web site. Thus far these finance lectures and workshops are only being held at the Osceola campus, but the goal is to eventually expand the seminars to students at all four campuses.