For university students, few things cause more stress than finances. And for incoming students, few things cause more confusion.

Hoping to fix that problem, Brock University’s Student Accounts and Financial Aid will host a Financial Literacy Fair Wednesday, Nov. 29.

The free event is open to current and future Brock students, as well as anyone in the wider Niagara community who wants to strengthen their financial well-being and knowledge.

The Financial Literacy Fair involves a wide range of Brock departments and external partners who will have information booths set up in Thistle Hallway Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The top two reasons for why students don’t graduate are financial barriers and mental health. And often these two things are related,” said Audrianna Kervoelen, Student Financial Services Officer. “We came up with this idea to help with retention and to change the culture at Brock to one of financial literacy.”

She said students will be taught the importance of planning, budgeting and learning about what OSAP pays for.

“We want to educate our students when it comes to their personal financial well-being and give them the tools to deal with whatever comes up during their tenure at Brock,” she said.

Local high school students have also been invited to take part in the fair to help alleviate concerns over financial barriers stopping them from attending post-secondary education.

Financial literacy sessions will also be running throughout the day in a number of locations across campus. The sessions are open, but require registration in advance.

The Financial Literacy Fair is the first of what is expected to be a series of events to help educate students and the community about the issue.

Anyone attending the fair is encouraged to use the hashtag #brocksense on social media. For more information on the event or to register for sessions, visit brocku.ca/safa