UW students to get prepared for life at financial independence seminar

Students looking to prepare for life, from first-year students to seniors about to graduate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, are invited to get expert financial advice at an exclusive weekend event.

The Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB) and Wisconsin School of Business will co-host the annual Financial Independence Seminar on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave. Students can pick and choose the sessions they want to attend, staying for half or all of the seminar.

Financial planning expert and School of Business lecturer Ron Smith ’65, MS’72 will serve as guest speaker for beginner and advanced sessions about financial topics, each followed by breakout sessions for student participants.

“As students approach graduation, personal financial responsibility takes on an entirely new meaning,” says Smith, who brings 25 years of experience in the field and is now a lecturer for the schools of business and human ecology. “Financial planning isn’t rocket science. The Financial Independence Seminar will give students the confidence they need to move forward.”

Open to all UW–Madison students, participants will receive lunch and dinner coupons and gift cards courtesy of University Square Food Court, and the opportunity to schedule a free 20-minute personal financial consultation with Smith. Advance registration is required by Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Attendees will receive guidance about choosing investment options; saving for retirement and other important life events; improving your credit score; managing student loans and other debts; and taking advantage of the unrest in the economy.

The Financial Independence Seminar is sponsored by Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. The Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB) is a nonprofit, registered student organization sponsored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA). WAA membership dollars make this event possible.