Cornell students now have a free and convenient way to manage their educational debt and learn valuable financial skills. SALT is a new financial literacy and debt management program created by American Student Assistance, a nonprofit that has teamed with Cornell and is piloting its program to undergraduate students.

SALT features an array of tools, including a website, online curriculum, webinars, federal and private loan/debt management, and personal financial counseling by phone and chat. SALT's website features articles, infographics and videos that promote interactive learning of money-related topics. The site showcases a sleek design and easy-to-use format, a convenience that promotes student learning and understanding of financial issues.

Students who sign up gain access to the “Money Coach,” a service to help students cut back on spending. Cornell students can learn how to pay for next semester, start a career, repay student loan debt, make a large purchase and pay bills.

“We are piloting SALT by actively inviting current undergraduate students, but any member of the Cornell community can register and utilize SALT’s services,” says Gretchen Ryan, associate director of Cornell’s Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment. “We think that SALT’s resources will be extremely valuable to our students and believe that financial literacy is a critical life skill.”

The SALT website presents content on loan basics, loan repayment options, budgeting and wealth management, a job and internship search feature, and financial personality. Cornell community members who sign up as SALT members will also have access to personal debt management advice from an expert counselor.

SALT also produces comics, has a blog and an active presence on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit saltmoney.org to create a profile and identify yourself as a Cornell community member.

Scott Goldberg '16 is a writer intern for the Cornell Chronicle.