Being Broke Is No Joke… How To Become Financially Literate in College.
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Regina Vegihe
“Money the Abbey Way” (MTAW) is Belmont Abbey College’s program to improve students’ financial literacy. This program has the following mission statement: “Your beliefs about money, and the decisions you make about money, are intimately related to what it means to live a good life and to lead a life of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become a responsible citizen, and to be a blessing to yourself and others.”
In other words, MTAW teaches students how to wisely save, earn, spend, borrow, and tithe money. Dr. Cote, the advisor of MTAW, recommends that students start saving now as she says, “Putting money aside daily instead of buying coffee will pay off for the long term.” Furthermore, “It is about thinking long term, not just short term.”
MTAW hosts many events for Financial Literacy as well. In September, MTAW hosted its first Financial Literacy event of the year. Soon, an email will be sent out with details about a speaker presenting on investment risks. In the spring, a speaker will be presenting on employee benefits. Dates of these events will be coming soon.
There are five tips that MTAW strives to teach Belmont Abbey Students. These include…
- Knowing Personal Finance to make an informed financial decision
- Apply Finance principles to a situation and choose the best financial outcome for them
- Understand Church Teachings about money and apply them to their life.
- Think about beliefs and values to use money wisely for themself, their family, and their community.
- Confidence in making a financial decision. To learn more about MTAW, go to the Online Student Success Hub on
canvas and look under modules for “Financial Literacy: Money the Abbey Way” Many resources, such as bac.igrad.com, will help students understand personal finance.
Being broke is no joke, so start learning about personal finance now. You will thank yourself later!
This article was originally posted in the Fall 2022, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue.
