High 5 Program Presented by Commonwealth Credit Union (CCU) in Partnership with Metro College
A free program designed to help you create a budget, save money, make sound financial decisions, and build your wealth.
What is the High 5 Program?
High 5 is a FREE program designed for YOU, a Metro College student, to help build wealth and lay the foundation for a future of financial security and success.
High 5 participants will:
- Set up a working monthly and semester budget.
- Set short term and long term financial goals.
- Access education and resources to make informed financial decisions.
- Access exclusive products to help you grow your wealth earned from your employment wages, bonuses, fee payment assistance, and financial aid residual funds (if applicable).
- Develop a plan to address financial emergencies.
- Understand the purpose of a credit union and the services it provides its members.
Review MC Student Direct Deposit Options for Weekly UPS Pay and Enroll in the High 5 Program
- While not required, all MC students are strongly encouraged to open a High 5 savings or checking account with our partner Commonwealth Credit Union (CCU). MC students can deposit all or a portion of their weekly pay, as well as take advantage of special products available to MC students, to grow their wealth and implement effective budgeting skills.
- Review High 5 and apply online at ccuky.org/highfive or visit a local CCU branch to learn more about this opportunity and to meet with a Wealth Ambassador. Follow the steps below to meet with a Wealth Ambassador.
- MC High 5 instructions to open an account online!
First Step to Financial Success? Log back into your igrad account and continue to utilize this financial empowerment tool!
Before signing your first agreement, most of you created an igrad account when completing the Student Transition Program (STP). With this account, you have the opportunity to continue completing courses to understand various financial topics, while also learning more about your financial personality and spending habits.
Educational Tools for your Financial Success
High 5 participants can access the online High 5 Financial Empowerment portal through the High 5 Welcome Page by completing modules that discuss:
- Creating a financial plan for your priorities and goals
- Banking beyond checking and savings
- Repaying your student loans
- Using credit cards responsibly
- Borrowing smart and preparing for higher education
- Creating a budget (and sticking to it)
- Mastering credit and optimizing your score
To start:
- Click on the "High 5 Welcome Page" link above
- Follow the instructions under the heading, "Where are you on your MC High 5 Journey?"
- Register as a current student new to the High 5 Financial Empowerment portal or a current student who has already established an account
- Once logged in, retake the Financial Wellness Checkup any time, create or update your High 5 profile, figure out your Money Personality, and explore the financial courses offered.
Step Two: Complete MC High 5 Budgeting CAPP Requirement Before Signing Second Agreement
Before signing your second agreement, you will be prompted to complete the High 5 Budgeting CAPP requirement. This requirement will provide you with an opportunity to learn the purpose of a budget and why it is important to pay yourself first in savings. At the end of the module, you will create two budgets (1) A monthly budget and (2) A semester tuition/fee budget for costs not covered by MC. The goal is to not only graduate from the MC program debt free, but to also understand how to be financially successful for your future beyond college.
Once you have two budgets prepared, you'll be ready to connect with a High 5 Wealth Ambassador to discuss your budgeting strategies and learn about the High 5 products that can help you be successful in your financial journey.
Step Three: Meet with a Wealth Ambassador!
What is a Wealth Ambassador?
A Commonwealth Credit Union Wealth Ambassador is a resource for your financial health and success. Through your journey at Metro College, a Wealth Ambassador will help you navigate the path to understanding and assisting with your goals and help you achieve a healthy and sustainable relationship with your finances. They are a tool that will help you develop yourself and your future during this educational program. They will be available to you for one-on-one appointments to discuss topics such as budgeting, saving, financial services and products, short-term goals, long-term goals, and much more.
Wealth Ambassadors can be contacted by email at metrocollege@cwcu.org, by phone at 502-564-4775, or by scheduling an in-person or virtual appointment Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.
Schedule a Meeting with a Wealth Ambassador
All Wealth Ambassador meetings are scheduled as:
In-person at a Commonwealth Credit Union (CCU) location of your choice:
- St. Matthews Branch - 3704 Frankfort, Avenue, Louisville, KY 40207
- Cane Run Branch - 4415 Cane Run Road, Louisville, KY 40216
- Market Street Branch - 900 West Market Street Suite #100, Louisville, KY 40202
Or virtually
For CCU hours click here.
Step Four: Open a CCU Savings ($5 Deposit to join is paid for you!) and Other High 5 Products
Start saving NOW with a High 5 Savings Account and an MC Checking Plus Account!
To open an account CCU will need:
- A government issued photo ID (i.e. driver's license, state ID, or passport - a student ID will not be accepted).
- A pay stub, lease agreement, or utility bill to verify your address if the current address is not listed on your ID.
- To know your Social Security Number (SSN) (you do not have to bring the actual card).
To open a High 5 account online, visit ccuky.org/HighFive.
Plan for the future with an MC Wealth Development Certificate, Rock-A-Ride Savings, and/or 1st Home Savings.
Large one-time funds such as a financial aid reimbursement and/or UPS bonus would be ideal deposits for your long-term savings goals.
Plan for financial emergencies with an MC GAP Loan (Referral Required)
- An MC Gap Loan is intended primarily for a current MC student seeking to continue their education, who was enrolled in the prior semester, but now cannot register for the next semester due to an outstanding balance (i.e. unpaid fees, withdraw, non-covered grade, etc.)
- It is also ideal for an MC student who is unprepared to pay for fees that are due at the beginning of the semester (i.e. meal plan, rec fee, mandatory student fee, online course fee, digital content fees, etc.)
To be eligible for an MC Gap Loan referral by a Student Success Counselor, a student must:
- Have an "Active" UPS Employment Status in the MC database.
- Owe a current student account balance and have a current term MC Agreement signed.
- Owe a past due balance and have a past term MC agreement signed with plans to enroll in the current term.
- Not have exceeded two-time annual limit of $1500 MC GAP loan.
Step Five: Stay Connected!
After you open an account, a Wealth Ambassador will be in contact with you periodically to check on your financial needs.
As a member of High 5, you can contact a Wealth Ambassador any time for questions and/or concerns regarding your account. Feel free to email or call a Wealth Ambassador, stop into a CCU branch for a visit, or schedule another meeting in advance.
MC highly encourages High 5 participants to contact a Wealth Ambassador a minimum of two times a year to reevaluate your budget and discuss your savings goals. Bonus time (roughly March and June) are great times to reach out to a Wealth Ambassador to discuss your deposit/savings options for a lump sum amount, such as this.
Questions?
For any questions or for more information about the High 5 Program, please contact your MC Student Success Counselor via your My MC page or contact CCU directly at metrocollege@cwcu.org.