Welcome to our HOWL Program!
Coyotes,
I am honored and excited to be part of the CSUSB community. My name is Francisco Burgos, and for the past four years I have worked with families from all backgrounds to help them understand the ins and outs of financial aid.
When I first started college, I had little understanding of financial wellness or financial aid. I struggled with budgeting, saving, investing, and figuring out how to manage my money overall. Those experiences motivated me to pursue a career in financial aid because I knew I wanted to help students and families like mine.
Growing up in a low-income, single-parent household was not easy, but it taught me the importance of learning how to manage my finances. I was responsible for figuring out how to pay for school while also balancing my spending and daily expenses. As a first-generation college student, I often kept my mom out of the loop when it came to tuition and other costs because I did not want her to worry or feel additional stress. Looking back, I realize the process could have gone much more smoothly if I had learned stronger budgeting skills earlier and allowed my family to support me through those challenges.
Now, as a college graduate working in higher education, I have had the opportunity to see financial aid from the other side. Over the past four years, I have come to understand how important it is to build a community where students and families feel informed, supported, and confident throughout the process. My goal is to help you have a smoother and more informed experience than I did.
I know dealing with finances can feel overwhelming and even scary at times, but it does not always have to be that way. Together, we can make the process simpler and less stressful. The more you understand financial aid and financial literacy, the more empowered you will be—not only for yourself, but also for the people who come after you.
With that being said, I look forward to working with all of you to help strengthen your understanding of financial aid and financial literacy in general. I am just as excited to learn from all of you as well!
Sincerely,
Francisco Burgos