The Community College of Aurora (CCA) is proud to announce that it has received a $20,000 award from the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) as part of its Round 2 Mini Grant Initiative. This funding will enhance CCA’s efforts to improve financial literacy among students and support equitable access to financial education resources.
CCA has previously received $40,000 in funding to launch and support financial education for CCA students. With the additional $20,000 grant, the program will continue to grow and add new financial wellness programming to combat barriers. Through this programming, the grant aligns with CCA’s commitment to expanding tools that help students make informed financial decisions throughout their academic journeys.
“We are excited to receive this support from NEFE,” said Jazmine Bjelland, Grants Development Director at CCA. “This grant allows us to strengthen our student-focused financial literacy programming and reach students who may be navigating financial aid and personal finance for the first time. It’s about empowering our students with knowledge that has a long-term impact.”
The initiative will be led by the Office of Financial Aid and Financial Wellness Coordinator, Judy Anderson. Programming funded by the grant has historically included workshops, digital resources, and personalized support services designed to help students build essential financial skills. With the second round of funding, CCA will also work with a Default Prevention Contractor to assist delinquent borrowers and help borrowers resolve accounts before default occurs.
Elizabeth Gallegos, Director of Financial Aid, emphasized the importance of early financial education: “Receiving this grant is a significant step toward helping our students feel more confident and capable when managing their finances. Financial literacy is a form of student support that is often overlooked, but is critical to their overall success.”
CCA is one of several institutions selected for this competitive NEFE grant round, which aims to fund innovative financial education initiatives nationwide.
As the college continues to grow its financial wellness programming, the NEFE grant serves as a testament to CCA’s commitment to equity, access, and empowering students with the tools they need to thrive—both in and beyond the classroom.