Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there for Kansas State University's Powercat Financial Counseling, or PFC, program. The insurance company has awarded the program a 2014 State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant for $15,000.

The grant is awarded to organizations that foster opportunities in service learning and personal financial education such as the university's Powercat Financial Counseling. Since 2009, the university program has provided students with free financial counseling and education via a peer model where trained peer financial counselors assist fellow students.

State Farm representatives formally presented Jodi Kaus, director of Powercat Financial Counseling, with a check at the program's student retreat April 17 at the Leadership Studies Building.

"The State Farm grant is critical to sustaining Powercat Financial Counseling as we continue to see an increase in student services each semester as well as an increase in the number of students wanting to serve as peer financial counselors," Kaus said. "The support from State Farm is vital to the ongoing success of PFC."

Powercat Financial Counseling will use the money to assist peer financial counselors and a graduate assistant to oversee and help train the peer financial counselors. The support also will allow Kaus to enhance marketing efforts and financial education outreach provided by its Student Advisory Board.