Financial Well-Being

Advancing the Barnard Community's Financial Well-Being

Financial well-being is a matter of critical importance for women, for college students — and indeed for individuals throughout the entire course of their lives beyond college. At Barnard, students, faculty, and staff now have dedicated space and resources to facilitate ongoing development of the skills and knowledge necessary to take ownership of one's financial well-being. The Francine LeFrak Center's integration of space and programming for financial well-being represents a distinctive intervention among similar well-being centers at peer institutions.

Fall 2025 Programming

Flagship Initiative: The Francine LeFrak Financial Well-Being Undergraduate Certificate Program

Monday Evenings (6:15-730PM), From September 15 through November 17
Registration is now open to all current Barnard students (please register here)

This 8-week program is designed exclusively for Barnard students and is led by the LeFrak Ambassadors, students trained across matters of financial fluency who empower their peers through leadership of this intensive series of introductory workshops. Throughout the program, participants gain essential life skills in saving, budgeting, building credit, investing, and negotiating career benefits—knowledge that empowers them to make informed financial decisions during college and beyond.

The sessions are as follows:

September 15: Emotions Behind Money & Cultural Consciousness
September 22: Budgeting & Money Management
September 29: Saving & Goal Setting
October 6: Building Credit & Credit Score
October 13: Investing & Retirement Accounts
October 20: Taxes
October 27: Finances Post-College: Career, Grad School, Gap Years, Fellowships
November 10: Do It Day
November 17: Certificate Ceremony and Celebration

Made possible by the Jolyne Caruso-Fitzgerald '81 Financial Wellness Fund. Questions can be directed to lefrakcenter@barnard.edu

Financial Well-Being for International Students: Navigating Financial Life in the US (Short Course)

Wednesday Evenings (6:00-7:15PM), From September 17 through October 8
Registration is now open to all current Barnard students (please register here)

This 4-week short course is designed to support International Students with essential knowledge for successfully navigating their first weeks and months in the United States. In this course we plan to address critical programming by focusing on financial well-being, practical life skills for the US, and cultural adaptation.

Key takeaways for our participants:

Open and manage US accounts effectively
Navigate NYC cultural norms and avoid scams
Comply with Tax Regulations and Employment Regulations
Build Sustainable Budget and Money Management Skills
Develop Financial Confidence and Networks of Support

The sessions are as follows:

September 17: Financial Infrastructure
September 24: Cultural Navigation and NYC Life Navigation
October 1: Federal Taxes and Employment
October 8: Personal Financial Management

Made possible by the Jolyne Caruso-Fitzgerald '81 Financial Wellness Fund. Questions can be addressed to lefrakcenter@barnard.edu. Registration details, program dates are shared at the beginning of each semester and through Well-Being Matters, the Francine LeFrak Center's monthly newsletter.

The Francine LeFrak Financial Well-Being High School Certificate Program

An adapted version of the financial well-being certificate program is also offered each semester to students at the Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS). We’re proud to partner with TYWLS and thank the LeFrak Ambassadors for their commitment to expanding access to financial education. Since 2023, LeFrak Ambassadors have trained more than 50 high school students, with more to come. The program is proof that it is never too early to learn the value of financial fluency.

Questions about additional programming can be addressed to lefrakcenter@barnard.edu.