GADSDEN, AL — Gadsden State Community College and the Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation have announced a new long-term partnership with Family Savings Credit Union aimed at expanding financial literacy education and resources for students across the college’s campuses.
Under the partnership, Family Savings Credit Union will serve as Gadsden State’s primary and exclusive financial literacy partner. The credit union has committed to a $20,000 annual leadership investment for 10 years, totaling $200,000 to support a sustainable financial literacy initiative.
The partnership is designed to provide students with education and resources related to budgeting, borrowing, debt management, credit, loan repayment and long-term financial planning. College officials said the initiative is intended to help students make informed financial decisions while attending college and after entering the workforce.
“Student success extends well beyond the classroom,” said Tony Smith, president of the Cardinal Foundation. “By partnering with Family Savings Credit Union, we are providing our students with valuable financial education that will help them make wise decisions, reduce financial stress, and build a strong foundation for their futures.”
Funding from Family Savings Credit Union will support financial literacy workshops, one-on-one financial counseling opportunities, digital learning resources, campuswide awareness campaigns and programs focused on financial success after college.
The initiative also supports Gadsden State’s efforts related to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Standard 12.6, which addresses student debt education and financial literacy. Through the partnership, the college plans to expand opportunities for students to learn about borrowing, debt management, budgeting, credit and long-term financial planning.
“Our goal is to ensure students graduate not only career-ready but financially prepared,” said Alan Smith, president of Gadsden State Community College. “Family Savings Credit Union shares our vision of empowering students through education, and we are grateful for their commitment to helping our students develop the confidence and knowledge necessary to achieve lifelong financial success.”
Danny Varnon, president and CEO of Family Savings Credit Union, said the partnership builds on the credit union’s commitment to community education.
“Financial literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can provide because it creates opportunities that last a lifetime,” Varnon said. “By partnering with the Gadsden State Community College Cardinal Foundation, we’re investing not only in education, but in the confidence, knowledge, and financial well-being of students, faculty, and the entire community. Together, we’re helping build stronger financial futures for generations to come.”
Gadsden State said it will continue monitoring financial wellness indicators, including student borrowing trends, loan repayment progress and post-graduation financial outcomes. The college said the expanded financial literacy programming will complement those efforts and provide additional ways to measure student success and long-term financial well-being.
As the college’s exclusive financial literacy partner, Family Savings Credit Union will also have a presence in workshops, seminars, educational resources and student engagement events associated with Gadsden State’s financial education programming.
College and foundation officials described the agreement as a long-term investment in student achievement and in the communities served by Gadsden State and Family Savings Credit Union.
Family Savings Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative serving more than 79,000 members throughout North Alabama and Northwest Georgia. The credit union has served the region for 75 years.
