schools
From work study to meal plans, here’s how college students can avoid debt
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Rachel DePompa , Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 23, 2026
· 2 min read
( InvestigateTV ) — As students head to college, a personal finance expert says knowing how to handle money early can prevent significant debt down the road. Kionnie Epps, founder of the YouTube channel The Responsible Homegirl, said one of the most overlooked financial realities for college stud...
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Summary created by The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Rachel DePompa, Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Kionnie Epps, founder of the YouTube channel The Responsible Homegirl, said one of the most overlooked financial realities for college students is that financial aid often drops after the first year, making a long-term plan essential.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
For Atlanta students heading to college, the advice from Kionnie Epps, founder of The Responsible Homegirl, takes on particular relevance given the city's high cost of living. As students navigate financial aid and part-time jobs, they must also contend with expenses like housing and transportation that can quickly add up. Epps' suggestion to look into work study programs or on-campus jobs is especially pertinent in Atlanta, where many colleges and universities offer these opportunities. By taking advantage of these programs, students can gain valuable work experience while also earning money to help offset the costs of living in the city. Additionally, being mindful of spending habits, such as splitting costs with roommates and using meal plans, can help students make the most of their limited disposable income and avoid accumulating debt that can be difficult to pay off in Atlanta's competitive job market.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ( InvestigateTV ) — As students head to college, a personal finance expert says knowing how to handle money early can prevent significant debt down the road. Kionnie Epps, founder of the YouTube channel The Responsible Homegirl, said one of the most overlooked financial realities for college stud...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rachel DePompa at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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