Financial Wellness
Financial Wellness at Southern Miss
The F.L.I.G.H.T. (Financial Literacy Insight, Growth, Help and Teachings) initiative is devoted to assisting the Southern Miss community on their journey toward becoming financially stable. Financial wellness is a core pillar for student success at Southern Miss. For many students, they are obtaining their first jobs, living on their own for the first time, trying to help provide for their families, buying or saving for their first automobiles, and juggling various other financial obligations alongside financing their education. Although scholarships can supplement, and in some cases fully finance, a student’s college education, personal finances will always be a factor in their long-term success. We want our students to become financial stable and receive the economic support necessary for success through USM, local, state, and federal resources.
We offer educational services only such as coaching sessions, workshops, and events. We do not provide investment, legal, or tax advice. The information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to substitute for the advice of your investment, legal, and/or tax advisors or to be the basis of specific trading or investment activities. If you need investment, legal, and/or tax advice, please consult with a professional.
What is Financial Wellness
Financial wellness means knowing how to manage your money with clarity, confidence, and intention. It’s not about being an expert. It’s about learning the skills that help you make smart decisions—from budgeting and saving to understanding credit and student loans.
Our office is here to help you build that foundation through educational workshops and free tools like iGrad.
We are here to provide guidance that empowers you to make informed financial decisions for your future.
What We Offer
We host engaging sessions throughout the year on key financial topics, including:
- Budgeting for college life
- Credit and debt basics
- Understanding student loans
- Preparing for financial independence after graduation
iGrad is a free, interactive platform where you can:
- Build a budget
- Explore scholarships
- Learn about credit, debt, and loans
- Take financial wellness quizzes
- Plan for post-graduation finances
We curate handouts, videos, and tools to break down complex topics in a way that makes sense. Whether you're prepping for a workshop or researching on your own, we’ve got something to support your next step.
Why It Matters
Money plays a role in almost every decision you make during college—and after. Whether it’s choosing a major, applying for scholarships, or taking out loans, financial wellness helps you:
- Reduce stress
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Plan more confidently for what’s next
Take the next Step
Check out iGrad, attend a workshop, or stop by our office to grab a resource. You don't need to know all the answers—you just need to know where to start.
Become a F.L.I.G.H.T. Ambassador
F.L.I.G.H.T Ambassadors is a registered student organization through the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement designed to enhance the financial wellness of Southern Miss students. Our Ambassadors utilize research and a peer-to-peer education model to increase the knowledge of financial awareness across campus. They provide financial education and awareness to students through presentations, individual coaching sessions, outreach tables and resource referrals. Their purpose is to teach and promote financial literacy campus-wide, so students feel empowered to achieve their financial goals. We believe that no one understands the needs and concerns of students better than fellow students!