14 February 2019 | Calgary, AB – Pursuing post-secondary education shouldn’t be a debt sentence.
That’s why First Calgary Financial (First Calgary) set out to ease the financial burden for three lucky local students by funding tuition, savings and entertainment while raising awareness around the need for proactive financial planning and budgeting at the start of post-secondary journeys.
First Calgary is committed to helping local students plan to minimize their post-graduation debt loads and maximize their savings through comprehensive student-tailored financial services, a Learn & Earn matched savings program aimed at high school students, innovative partnerships with organizations like the YMCA to empower youth with financial literacy skills, and most recently through their awareness building contest targeting post-secondary students: Fight Financial FOMO (fear of missing out).
Fight Financial FOMO awarded Jaime McPherson $5,000 toward her Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) tuition. I’m currently in a Healthcare Fundamentals program with SAIT and working to be accepted into their two-year X Ray Technician Program. This prize eases financial stress for sure while providing peace of mind for the future”, said Jaime, adding “I think high school education needs to start to include financial planning and budgeting.
Second place prize winner Samantha, also a SAIT student, was awarded $2,500 to kick-start her savings journey and third place winner Janmay, a Mount Royal University student, won a $1,000 Ticketmaster Gift Certificate.
First Calgary aims to ensure students know that if they’re worried about debt, they’re not alone and there are always solutions to help them get back on track – from alternatives to expensive payday loans to free financial planning and budgeting support with the credit union.
About Connect First Credit Union
Connect First Credit Union offers its members a full range of financial products and services through trusted local brands and a community-focused approach to banking. Connect First Credit Union is Canada’s seventh largest credit union, with over $5 billion in assets under administration. It serves +120,000 members through 42 locations across central and southern Alberta, under the First Calgary Financial, Chinook Financial, Mountain View Financial, and Legacy Financial divisions.
To access the online release, click here.