TULLAHOMA, Tenn.– Ascend Federal Credit Union said it empowered more than 650 students with essential money-management skills through a series of workshops held at five area college campuses during April’s Financial Literacy Month.
As part of its ongoing commitment to financial education, Ascend sponsored 14 events across:
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Belmont University
- Nashville State Community College
- Tennessee State University
- Tennessee Tech University
Ascend said it collaborated with each campus to curate its own lineup of presentations and interactive sessions, covering topics such as budgeting basics, understanding credit scores, debt-management strategies, savings and investment fundamentals, and long-term financial planning.
“We’re committed to helping students build a strong financial foundation,” Ascend President and CEO Matt Jernigan in a statement. “By working with each school to tailor its own programming, we ensure students receive practical guidance that aligns with their goals and needs.”
At Middle Tennessee State University, Ascend served as the presenting sponsor of the campus-wide Financial Literacy Month initiative in partnership with the Jones College of Business, the Department of Economics and Finance, and MT One Stop. Ascend contributed $15,000 to support the university’s month-long efforts, including its keynote event featuring Manisha Thakor, author of Money Zen and a nationally recognized financial educator.
To encourage participation, MTSU awarded scholarships to students who engaged in Financial Literacy Month events and who submitted a short video detailing what they learned and how they will apply it to their lives. In total, 19 students received scholarships as part of the program.
These campus partnerships reflect Ascend’s broader mission to equip individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed financial decisions and establish sound money habits.