Helping students make their goals, values, and money intersect is the fundamental mission of Bryant’s 12 Points Academy, according to founder Joey Belsanti ’25. That means asking big-picture questions while teaching basic skills like balancing a checkbook and managing credit card debt.

“Once you realize what your goals and values are, it’s a lot easier to make your money work for you,” said Belsanti, an Economics major, who launched the nonprofit educational group in 2023. “For example, we ask where you want to live after college, then talk about how you can prepare two or three years ahead to put yourself in a position where you can live where you want, whether that’s staying at home to save money or moving across the country.”

Managing student loans is another topic covered by 12 Points Academy during visits to local elementary, middle, and high schools and at events like the Financial Literacy Festival, held April 28 inside and outside Bryant's George E. Bello Center.

“We have $2 trillion in student loan debt right now, and all of that is completely avoidable,” Belsanti said. “If individuals are given tools and knowledge beforehand, they will know how to deal with loans in a way that doesn’t handicap them after graduation.”

“Once you realize what your goals and values are, it’s a lot easier to make your money work for you."

The Financial Literacy Festival was open to high school students as well as the Bryant community. The all-day festival featured guest speakers, information tables staffed by financial experts, and a carnival of activities like giant beer pong, corn hole, and a dunk tank. 

Students qualified to play games by answering questions about savings, spending, and investing. “It's all about making financial education fun,” said Belsanti.

Fidelity Investments, HarborOne Bank, BankNewport, Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, and the Financial Planning Association of Rhode Island were among the exhibitors taking questions and providing financial advice to students.

“We want students to educate themselves when they're young, so as their life and finances get more complex, they have a working foundation to build from,” said Mara Derderian '93, a lecturer in Bryant’s Finance department, whose students helped run the festival.

Adelaide Smith, a junior at Lincoln High School, said the Financial Literacy Festival reinforced lessons from her high school’s personal finance class. “I've learned a lot about how to manage credit cards and debt in general,” she said.

“I've learned a lot about how to manage credit cards and debt in general."

Managing expenses — including unexpected things like replacing a lost phone or paying a parking ticket — is a frequent topic of conversation with high school and college students, said Kathy Charbonneau, senior vice president and director of community relations and charitable giving at BankNewport.

“We start with how a paycheck actually works, and that you lose 30 percent right off the top in taxes,” she said. “They have to learn to work within their net income for the month and look at their expenses with a critical eye.”

During the festival,Mason Atlas ’28, a Finance major in Bryant’s 3+1 Accelerated Fourth-Year MBA program, volunteered at the Financial Planning Association’s table. In addition to touting the benefits of joining the group, Atlas warned students against spending money on status symbols.

“You're not going to make friends in school just because you're wearing new shoes,” he said. On the other hand, “A nice suit holds value: if I go to a networking event, it means something to look nice.”

Atlas said that while a car is a major expense, students also need to consider the indirect costs of ownership. “If you're a dude getting an Audi, insurance is going to be through the roof. There are indirect costs as well. Just because something's cool and trending doesn't mean it's smart to invest in it.”

In addition to being good for your bank account, financial literacy is a good investment in your health, said Belsanti. 

“Personal finance is the number one cause of stress for Americans,” he said. “People don't like to think about money, don't like to deal with money. Talking about goals and values makes it easier and more purposeful to engage with your finances.”