6 Financial Basics Every College Student Should Know | Budgeting, Credit, Saving & More

Money can feel overwhelming when you’re managing it on your own for the first time. From rent and dining-hall swipes to credit cards, investing, and student loans, there’s a lot to figure out—often without a clear playbook. In this video, SoFi Chief Empowerment Officer Vivian Tu shares six financial basics that can help college students build a stronger foundation and feel more confident with money. You’ll learn how to track spending, build credit, start saving, understand investing, grow your income, and get clear on your student loans. In this video, you’ll learn: 0:00 Intro: 6 Financial Basics 0:55 Cash Flow: How to find “money leaks 4:48 Credit: Your financial reputation score 5:47 Safety Buffer: How to start an emergency fund 6:57 Investing: Your biggest advantage is time 8:12 Income: Your income isn’t fixed 9:17 Student Loans: Clarity removes fear This video is intended for: - College students and recent graduates - Students navigating budgeting, credit, savings, investing, or student loans for the first time - Parents and families looking for approachable financial-literacy resources - Campus organizations and educators seeking clear, shareable financial education This content is for educational purposes only and does not represent financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Additional Resources: Student Debt Guide: https://www.sofi.com/student-debt-guide/ Student Loan Refinancing: https://www.sofi.com/refinance-student-loan/ Scholarship Search Tool: https://www.sofi.com/scholarship-search/ Scholarship Giveaway: https://www.sofi.com/scholarship-giveaway/ SoFi On the Money Newsletter: https://www.sofi.com/on-the-money/ About SoFi®: A finance company that could help you get ahead. Get Your Money Right® with SoFi. Connect with SoFi: Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sofi Subscribe to SoFi’s On the Money newsletter: https://www.sofi.com/on-the-money/ Follow SoFi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofi/ Follow SoFi on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sofi Follow SoFi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sofi/ Like SoFi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoFi/ Follow SoFi on X: https://x.com/SoFi