Credit Confidence

​Join us for an empowering session on how to manage credit responsibly and build a foundation for your future. We’ll dive into the mechanics of credit scores, analyze real-world statements to avoid hidden costs, and introduce the basics of long-term investing. Whether you're planning for post-secondary education or retirement, this workshop provides the tools to make your money work for you.

​Workshop Agenda

• ​Welcome & Community Agreements

  • ​Setting expectations for a respectful and interactive learning environment.

• ​Credit Foundations (Credit 101)

  • ​Understanding the 3 C’s of Credit and the difference between secured and unsecured cards.

• ​Decoding Your Credit Score & Report

  • ​A breakdown of FICO/Vantage score ranges (from poor to exceptional) and the factors that influence them.

• ​The "Math of Debt" Deep Dive

  • ​Interactive walkthrough of a credit card statement, including APR calculations and the "minimum payment warning".

• ​Strategies for Credit Improvement

  • ​Practical tips on debt-to-income (DTI) ratios, payment timing, and why you should keep old accounts open.

• ​Long-Term Planning (LTP) & Investments

  • ​Introduction to stocks, bonds, and retirement funds, featuring the "Rule of 72" for investment growth.

• ​Closing Q&A & Resource Wrap-up

  • ​Final survey and contact information for ongoing financial support.

​Fellows, please be sure to review COOP's Partner Event attendance policy. A quick summary is below:

• ​You must attend all partner-led events during program hours and, for virtual events, be on camera ready to engage

• ​If you need to be absent, you should notify your captains or partnership members ahead of time

  • ​Captains are to be notified of any during program events

  • ​Partnerships team members organizing the event should notified of any outside-of-program events

• ​If you sign up for an event and fail to show up or communicate your absence, you’ll be deprioritized and waitlisted for future events

• ​If you sign up for an event and can no longer attend, you must communicate that to the event organizer at least 3 days in advance or as soon as possible. We understand life happens, but please try not to cancel the day of an event.

​Our full attendance policy and procedures can be found here.