About us
Creation of Powercat Financial
Powercat Financial began in August 2009 when Student Governing Association allocated funds for the creation of a program to provide students free assistance and counseling on personal finances born out of a proposal initiated with the College of Health and Human Science's Personal Financial Planning faculty. The program was designed as a peer-to-peer program where students studying financial planning or financial services offer counseling to fellow students on budgeting, saving, credit, student loan repayment and transitioning to work.
Outcomes & Assessment
Powercat Financial has made a difference in the financial well-being of many K-State students. Our biggest successes are when we help a student get on track financially allowing them to remain at K-State to pursue their degree or when students indicate we helped reduced their financial stress.
The outcomes of our efforts have provided the following impact at K-State:
Financial workshops presented to over 60,000 students on topics ranging from budgeting to transitioning to work;
Individual financial counseling provided one-on-one to over 5,600 students;
Over 120 students have gained pre-professional financial counseling experience as peer financial counselors.
Student Learning Outcomes for Powercat Financial
By utilizing our services and resources, students should:
- be satisfied with their personal financial counseling experience at Powercat Financial;
- report a reduction in financial stress after receiving personal financial counseling;
- exercise sound reasoning to analyze, make decisions and overcome financial problems when serving as a peer financial counselor.
A recent 2020-2021 PF assessment plan (PDF) for Powercat Financial is available for review.
Peer Financial Counselors
Powercat Financial has grown significantly since its creation. Its staff includes a full-time director, graduate assistants and peer financial counselors from academic majors including personal financial planning, business finance, accounting, economics and agricultural economics.
Student involvement
Students may apply in the spring to become a peer financial counselor or to join the Powercat Financial Student Advisory Board which assists with the mission and marketing of the program. Read more
Research
Powercat Financial strives to be a leader in clinical research and has collected pre- and post-data from individual client sessions and group presentations since its inception. Read more
In the news
Powercat Financial has received significant recognition both locally and nationally for its efforts in improving K-State students' financial capability. Read more
Give to Powercat Financial
If you are passionate about our mission, we would greatly appreciate your support and contributions which can be made via the Kansas State University Foundation.