Financial Well-Being
Financial well-being impacts all other aspects of your well-being, physical, emotional, and mental. Check out these helpful resources:
Financial Planning Resources
Free Tax Preparation Assistance
United Way is participating in MyFreeTaxes, a free tax preparation website. Taxpayers with a gross income of $57,000 or less have the opportunity to file state and federal taxes free of charge. By visiting www.MyFreeTaxes.com, taxpayers will find easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. If necessary, a help phone line and email for assistance from IRS-certified professionals are available.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Financial Security
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Financial Security is a research center that provides lists of resources for financial tools and financial coaching, as well as webinars. Since the organization is a policy institute, it also has plenty of interesting academic research on issues of financial literacy and management.
FDIC Money Smart
Money Smart is a comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help low- and moderate-income individuals enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. Research shows that the curriculum can influence positively how customers manage their finances, and these changes are sustainable in the months after training. This computer-based instruction requires registration.
Carnegie Mellon Financial Literacy
"Personal Financial Literacy is more than just being able to balance a checkbook, compare prices or get a job. It also includes skills like long-term vision and planning for the future, and the discipline to use those skills every day."
IU Money Smarts
Indiana University Money Smarts provides quizzes and weekly podcasts to help you learn to manage your finances, from student loans, to your first car purchase, to life after graduation.
Funds and Assistance
Graduate School Emergency Fund
The Graduate School Emergency Support Fund provides limited assistance for graduate students facing unexpected and urgent financial need resulting from sudden, unforeseen emergencies for which no other source of assistance is available. All full-time, degree-seeking graduate students in the colleges of Science, Engineering, Arts and Letters, and Global Affairs in good standing are eligible to apply. Examples of emergency needs include but are not limited to natural disasters, fire damage, need for temporary housing, travel emergencies, death in the family, accidents, legal expenses, and safety needs.
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will review applications on a rolling basis as received, and make funding decisions following consultation with Financial Aid and the Tax Office. Funds will be disbursed through a direct deposit payment into the student’s bank account. All necessary steps will be taken to protect the privacy of all applicants. For more information and to apply for emergency funds, please email John Lubker at jlubker1@nd.edu.
Pregnant & Parenting Student Assistance Fund
Notre Dame’s Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance Fund (PPSA) manifests the University’s commitment to life by assisting pregnant and parenting students and their families, by easing some of the hidden financial costs that can impose huge financial burdens for students with families living on a budget. Funding for the PPSA is secured by the Office of Life and Human Dignity in the McGrath Institute for Church Life and disbursed through the Office of Student Affairs. Although the fund does not meet the needs of every student-family, it does provide much-needed relief for families encountering a major strain on their finances. In order to attend to those student-families in most need, the PPSA prioritizes financial assistance in the following circumstances, with particular concern for undergraduate students and international students:
- Pregnancy related expenses beyond what is available through local resources, such as the Women’s Care Center.
- Childcare in circumstances of extreme need, especially in situations when a spouse is unable to care for children because of a medical condition or in cases when a student is solely responsible for the care of his or her child.
- One-time emergency expenses affecting the family’s food, transportation, shelter and well-being.
- Marital counseling in crisis situations for a maximum of 10 sessions or $1,000.
To apply for the PPSA Fund, please email Peggy Hnatusko at mhnatusk@nd.edu. To learn more about services for Notre Dame student families visit frc.nd.edu.
The Shirt Charity Fund
The Shirt Charity Fund: "applications will be considered for undergraduate or graduate Notre Dame students with extraordinary medical conditions who have demonstrated financial need which requires payment beyond their means. Applications can be submitted for medical reimbursement relating to the aforementioned extraordinary medical condition (medical supplies, hospital bills, surgery bills, prescriptions, etc)..."
In the market for new home?
The Community Homebuyers Corporation offers grants and education for first-time homebuyers to assist in the purchase of a home within the South Bend City limits. For more information, call 574- 235-5880.
Home Weatherization
"This Home Weatherization helps income eligible households reduce fuel consumption and fuel expenses by providing weatherization measures for homes at no cost to those served. These procedures include: health and safety inspection on the furnace and water heater, cellulose insulation in attics and side walls."
Energy Assistance Program
"The REAL Services’ Energy Assistance Program is a state-funded program that assists low-income households with electric and heating expenses during the winter months."
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
"The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low and no income people and families living in the United States (U.S.). It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ."
Women, Infants, and Children
"The Special Supplemental Food and Nutrition Education for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) is federally funded through the United States Department of Agriculture with oversight through the Indiana State Department of Health. WIC serves as the gateway to health care for many low-income women, infants, and children and is the premiere public health program in America."
Family and Social Services Administration
"Family and Social Services Administration is a health care and social service funding agency. Ninety-four percent (94%) of the agency's total budget is paid to thousands of service providers ranging from major medical centers to a physical therapist working with a child or adult with a developmental disability. The five care divisions in FSSA administer services to over one million Hoosiers."
Hoosier Healthwise Program
"Hoosier Healthwise is a health insurance program for Indiana children, pregnant women, and low income parents/caretakers. Health care is provided at little or no cost to Indiana families enrolled in the program. The enrolled member chooses a doctor to get regular checkups and health care for illnesses. Other health needs such as prescriptions, dental care, vision care, family planning services, and mental health services are also available as part of the Hoosier Healthwise program."
Healthy Indiana Plan
"The Healthy Indiana Plan is a health-insurance program for qualified adults. The plan is offered by the State of Indiana, and is also known as "HIP 2.0." It pays for medical costs for members and could even provide vision and dental coverage. It also rewards members for taking better care of their health. The plan covers Hoosiers ages 19 to 64 who meet specific income levels."
Indiana Health Centers
Indiana Health Centers, Inc. is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing medical, dental, and behavioral health care to the medically underserved and uninsured populations of the state. Our clinics throughout Indiana provide primary care on a sliding fee scale to patients of all ages who might not otherwise be able to afford quality healthcare.