Financial Literacy Workshop Held at SGTC Crisp County Center

March 17, 2026

Students, faculty and staff at the SGTC Crisp County Center recently participated in a Financial Literacy workshop led by Brenda Alexis and Shane Bell of Planters First Bank.

South Georgia Technical College recently hosted a “Money Matters – Building Financial Literacy” workshop at the SGTC Crisp County Center for students, faculty, and staff. The session was designed to help participants strengthen their understanding of personal finance and develop practical strategies for managing money responsibly.

Representatives from Planters First Bank, Shane Bell, Senior Vice President and Market President, and Brenda Alexis, Universal Banker, led the interactive presentation. The workshop covered a range of important financial topics, including budgeting, credit management, saving, fraud prevention, and long-term financial planning.

Bell and Alexis emphasized that borrowing money carries responsibility and encouraged students to make informed financial decisions. They discussed the importance of paying credit card bills on time to maintain a healthy credit score and advised students to seek guidance from financial professionals before taking on loans for vehicles, personal expenses, or home purchases. The presenters also highlighted the impact of charge-offs, noting that negative banking activity can follow individuals and affect future financial opportunities.

Participants also learned about common financial pitfalls and how to avoid unnecessary bank fees. Representatives explained that student accounts at Planters First Bank allow fees to be waived with a valid student ID up to age 23. Students were encouraged to monitor their accounts regularly through online and mobile banking and to consider direct deposit to help avoid monthly service charges.

Another important topic discussed was fraud prevention. Bell and Alexis warned that scammers are constantly developing new tactics to target victims and encouraged students to remain vigilant with financial transactions. They cautioned that certain digital payment platforms may not allow disputes if a transfer error occurs.

SGTC Career Services Director Cynthia Carter encouraged students to avoid unnecessary debt and to make thoughtful financial choices. She noted that the college offers financial literacy workshops each semester to equip students with the skills needed to manage their money effectively.

For more information about Career Services offerings at South Georgia Technical College, contact Cynthia Carter at ccarter@southgatech.edu or call 229-931-2057 to schedule an appointment.

South Georgia Technical College continues to provide workshops and student services that support both career readiness and personal success. SGTC offers more than 200 programs of study designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue rewarding careers in today’s high-demand industries.

Through March 31, SGTC is waiving the application fee with the code MARCH26. Apply now at www.southgatech.edu.