iGrad: Not Just for Students

iGrad is an online platform that is available to not only Emerson students, but staff and faculty as well. The site provides assistance for a variety of finance-related issues, including money management advice, financial wellness tips, and financial aid queries.

Emerson is one of more than 600 colleges and universities that uses iGrad. Carol Smolinsky, director of financial wellness, education, and communications at Emerson, said about iGrad’s purpose, “iGrad is a tool for our students and community members to use in whatever way suits their particular financial wellness goals. It is a piece of what we offer, in addition to workshops and financial counseling, to support students who are studying all over the world in building their financial confidence and capabilities.”

iGrad at Emerson was launched in 2021 and has since become a great community resource. Every student learns about it in a required first-year course, Emersion: Foundations of Success. And students aren’t the only ones who should be logging into iGrad. “Staff members are more than welcome to utilize iGrad, whether that be for their own use or for use with assisting students,” said Smolinsky. 

Many staff might not be aware of the opportunities that iGrad has to offer them, such as courses on financial wellness. Smolinsky said that signing up for iGrad is quite easy for staff; all they need is their Emerson credentials. She is hopeful that the community’s use of iGrad will grow and encourages everyone to use the platform to help them reach their financial goals.

Vani Hanamirian ’26