From FAFSA to First Paycheck: Setting Students Up for Financial Success
by Kathleen Chuc, Fulfillment Fund Marketing & Communications Intern
April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to spotlight the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and tools to navigate their financial futures. At Fulfillment Fund, we are proud to be a trusted support system, helping students make sense of financial aid and the path to higher education. We understand that many first-generation students face real barriers when it comes to accessing the resources needed to pursue college, and that navigating this journey alone can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re the first in your family to do it.
And we know the challenges don’t stop after college. Transitioning into the workforce brings a new set of financial responsibilities. Students move from receiving scholarships and grants to relying on paychecks and, at times, managing loans. It’s a shift that can quickly become complex and overwhelming, reshaping how they view and manage their personal finances.
To support our students through this transition, we hosted a workshop designed for those navigating these challenges or looking to get ahead. The Fulfillment Fund Alumni Chat: Navigating Finances Post-Grad brought together four alumni who shared honest insights on managing money during college and how their financial habits have evolved as working professionals.
Financial literacy isn’t just about money—it’s about access, confidence, and opportunity.
That’s why we believe this work starts early. To truly set students up for success in college and beyond, financial literacy must begin as early as freshman year. Our College Access team works closely with students to build these skills from the start, ensuring that before they even step onto a college campus, they are already making informed financial decisions that can shape their future.
How does Fulfillment Fund support students in developing financial literacy skills?
Our Director of College Access, John Kuhlmann, shares:
“Fulfillment Fund college counselors support high school students in developing financial literacy skills by creating programs designed to expose them to fundamental concepts of money management and financial knowledge. Our students are informed about the costs associated with attending college and how to finance their postsecondary education.
All students have opportunities to meet with a Fulfillment Fund counselor to complete college financial aid applications and later analyze their financial aid award packages. This process helps them build essential financial skills, such as budgeting, understanding different types of aid, and recognizing the impact of borrowing money. It also helps students build long-term planning skills as they evaluate the true cost of attending college.Our counselors help normalize conversations about money so that students feel empowered to make informed decisions.”
It’s important to us that we guide our students through the different expenses that may come their way. Reviewing financial aid packages from different institutions can feel overwhelming without the right support. That’s where we show up, breaking down every dollar sign so students understand exactly what’s being offered to them.
We go beyond simply reviewing award letters. We help students unpack what each piece means and give them the tools to confidently navigate the financial realities of attending a university. Through our programming, students gain a deeper awareness of the resources available to them, empowering them to make informed decisions not just for today, but for their future.
As students step into this new chapter, the reality of college expenses becomes real. For many, it’s their first time budgeting. With that comes the challenge of learning how to balance their needs and wants within what they have. It’s not always easy, but it is a critical step in building financial independence.
What happens after high school? It starts with financial literacy.
As a continued source of support, our college students have access to our College Success team, who help guide them through the early stages of financial independence. Our advisors create a space where students feel comfortable asking questions about financial aid, balancing expenses, and navigating the realities of adult life.
We know these skills are not built overnight, and that is okay. That is why Fulfillment Fund provides workshops and ongoing support throughout college and beyond, helping students turn what they learn into lasting habits.
Through regular check-ins each semester, students stay connected to the guidance they need, ensuring they feel supported and confident as they work toward their goals.
Olivia De la O, our Director of College Success, states,
“One of the biggest financial hurdles our students are facing right now is the rising cost of attendance and the rapidly rising cost of living. Whether students are living on or near campus, or at home, the impact is felt across the board, and students and families are having to get more and more creative to make ends meet. It is essential, now more than ever, for students to understand the importance of taking control of their financial futures early, and changing the narrative of financial literacy in our communities. By de-mystifying financial literacy topics and providing a safe place to learn and ask questions, our hope is that students feel prepared and empowered to access financial services and resources to help them build a solid financial future.”
Through our partnership with Capital Group and their Community Wealth Council, we’re expanding opportunities for students to build financial confidence that lasts beyond the classroom. With our College Success Director, Olivia, contributing to this work, we’re able to bring real, student-informed insight into conversations that shape financial education and access across all of Los Angeles.
This April, we remain committed to supporting our students as they continue building and strengthening their financial skills. We also want to recognize our incredible counselors and sponsors whose support plays a vital role in our students’ success, both financially and academically.
Building a strong foundation in financial literacy not only reinforces our mission, but creates lasting impact for the next generation. When students understand their finances, they don’t just get to college, they thrive there.
