Organization Spotlight
Grow Financial Literacy and Planning Clinic at the University of South Florida
Program Overview
The Grow Financial Literacy and Planning Clinic at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business is dedicated to improving financial literacy and financial wellness for students, educators, and the greater Tampa Bay community. Through hands-on coaching, workshops, and classroom engagement, the clinic helps individuals build the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions.
Housed in the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, the clinic is a partnership between USF and Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, combining academic expertise with real-world financial education. Our work supports student success, strengthens K–20 financial education, and prepares the next generation to navigate personal finance with confidence.
Grounded in academic research and current financial trends, the clinic uses a peer-to-peer education model proven to increase financial awareness and engagement.
“Our purpose is to make things grow, and when we think about how we help people grow their financial lives, it’s really about their spending habits, their savings habits, what does credit mean? So when we think about those three topics, and if we can impart that to our younger generations, it gives them a chance to build a more stable foundation.”
The Grow Financial Literacy and Planning Clinic’s student-focused services include:
All services are educational only and are designed to help students build confidence and knowledge around personal finance. The student financial coaches have earned the NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructor designation, which allows the coaches to build effective programming and build engaging events for all ages and learning styles. They have presented to and met hundreds of other students, ranging from 9th graders to college seniors.
“What’s really exciting about this program is, first and foremost, that we’re able to provide a valuable service to the community and it provides a fantastic experiential learning opportunity for personal financial planning students. Not only are the students able to take that learning they’ve learned in the classroom, they’re able to take that, get it to a position where they’re comfortable presenting and so they really have to internalize the material… Our student financial coaches are knocking it out of the park, and so I couldn’t think of a better success that what we’re already experiencing. “
– Timothy Greer, Personal Financial Planning Program Director
“As a Student Financial Coach, I work with students to strengthen their financial literacy and develop practical money-management skills. Through the Grow Financial Literacy & Planning Clinic, I help students navigate topics such as budgeting, saving, credit, debt management, and establishing healthy financial habits. The role has strengthened my ability to communicate financial concepts in an approachable and actionable way while gaining experience working directly with individuals on their financial goals. It has also reinforced my passion for financial planning and helping people make more informed and confident financial decisions.”
– Alex Healy, Student Financial Coach
“Through my role as a student financial coach with the Grow Financial Literacy and Planning Clinic, I serve in an educational capacity to promote financial literacy in my community. To effectively work in this role, it is imperative that I understand core financial literacy topics and can implement classroom learning and activities that resonate to students. The CFEI course encompasses both these areas, and I use many of the concepts I learned in the course in this role.”
– Neil Foley, Student Financial Coach
“As a Student Financial Coach with the Grow Financial Literacy & Planning Clinic, my role is to help students feel more confident making financial decisions both during college and as they prepare for life after graduation. Through one-on-one coaching, classroom presentations, and campus and community outreach, we take topics like budgeting, credit, debt, saving, and investing and make them practical and approachable. One of my favorite parts of this role is meeting students where they are. Everyone comes to us with a different financial background, different goals, and different questions, so there is never a one-size-fits-all conversation. For me, being a Student Financial Coach is about giving students the knowledge and tools to understand their options, ask better questions, and feel empowered to take the next step in their financial lives.”
– Samantha Mutter, Student Financial Coach