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SUNY Canton cuts ribbon on Financial Literacy Center, offering seminars, counseling for community, students

Posted 9/22/16

CANTON -- SUNY Canton established the college’s Financial Literacy Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 15. In operation for nearly a year, the center is located in Cook Hall and has been …

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SUNY Canton cuts ribbon on Financial Literacy Center, offering seminars, counseling for community, students

Posted

CANTON -- SUNY Canton established the college’s Financial Literacy Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 15.

In operation for nearly a year, the center is located in Cook Hall and has been the site of numerous no-cost financial seminars and counseling services for community members, as well as high school and college students.

"This center fills a critical need, given the economic challenges of our region," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "We now have a place where business leaders, educators and professionals can come together to provide a resource that serves the people of St. Lawrence County."

Dean of the School of Business and Liberal Arts Jondavid S. DeLong highlighted the programs the center has hosted during the past year, including free tax-preparation assistance and money management guidance for low-income community members; a financial literacy presentation for high school students in conjunction with BOCES; retirement seminars; and loan repayment advice for college students.

To date, the programs have served more than 120 community members, 500 high school students and 100 college students.

Another benefit of the center, DeLong added, is its value to augment classroom learning for SUNY Canton students. Those who have completed a tax preparation course in the fall semester assist community members with filing their income taxes in the spring.

"Our students will gain the practical experience they'll need to get a job after they've graduated," he said, "and at the same time help the community."

Upcoming Financial Literacy Center programs include a "Mad City Money" experience in April 2017, where every high school student in St. Lawrence County will converge on SUNY Canton's campus to participate in an education simulation game that gives them the opportunity to make adult financial decisions based on fictitious scenarios.

Szafran acknowledged the significant contributions from the center's financial sponsors: Alesco Advisors, Daniel G. and Linda L. Fay, North Country Savings Bank, SeaComm Federal Credit Union, St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, and the SUNY Canton College Foundation.