Behrend student offers peer coaching in personal finance

June 10, 2026 - 01:23

Abhirath Baiju, a Penn State Behrend student serving as a financial literacy ambassador for the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center, is now offering peer coaching on personal finance. He hopes to reach students before they run into money trouble.

"Many students don't focus on money management until problems come up," Baiju said. "That can lead to financial trouble they don't see coming."

The peer coaching sessions cover budgeting, credit scores, student loans, and saving strategies. Baiju works one-on-one with students to help them build practical skills for managing their money during college and beyond. The goal is to catch small issues before they become bigger problems.

Baiju became interested in financial literacy after seeing how many of his classmates struggled with basic money decisions. He noticed that students often felt overwhelmed by things like choosing a credit card or understanding their loan repayment options. His coaching approach is informal and focused on real-world needs.

The program is open to all Behrend students, regardless of their major or year. Baiju said he wants to create a space where students can ask questions without feeling judged. Sessions are free and can be scheduled through the financial literacy center.

By offering this service, Baiju hopes to change how students think about money. He believes that learning to manage finances early can reduce stress and set students up for long-term success.