CGS Relaunches GradSense, A Resource for Empowered Financial Decision-Making for Potential and Current Graduate Students

With financial support from TIAA, CGS has relaunched GradSense, a website designed to promote financial literacy and help students get a better understanding of the opportunities available to them when pursuing a graduate degree.

First launched in 2015, GradSense provides people interested in pursuing a graduate degree, whether they are a recent undergraduate or making a mid-career change, with improved financial information on funding opportunities and student loans as well as resources such as a budget template. CGS and TIAA teamed up again to redesign the website and update the resources for a new generation of potential and current graduate students.

“When and where to pursue a graduate degree is a big decision. At CGS, we believe that a student should feel empowered and confident about navigating the financial decisions one must consider before, during and after graduate school,” said Suzanne Ortega, President of CGS. “We are grateful for our partnership with TIAA in relaunching this site and improving it as a resource for potential and current students.”

GradSense provides information about the cost and value of pursuing a graduate degree by breaking down the difference between different degree types and how graduate school can impact a student’s career. Visitors can evaluate their options by using the debt-to-earnings calculator to understand the return-on-investment of various graduate degrees and career pathways.

The website also offers tools and resources for planning and managing finances for first-time or mid-career students. GradSense also features a glossary of terms, links to financial resources, and an interactive quiz to test knowledge.

Zara Mirza, Chief Brand Officer at TIAA, said that helping relaunch GradSense was important to TIAA because of the long-term financial value a graduate degree can have on individuals.

“Those who obtain a college degree have higher earning potential, enhanced employment opportunities, and improved retirement readiness and savings opportunities,” said Mirza. “Alongside CGS, TIAA is proud to support increased access to education and set up students for financial success so that they may increase their earning potential and begin saving for a financially secure retirement.”

Please share GradSense with your current or prospective students by sharing the GradSense Toolkit with your staff and administrators, program directors, student organizations, admissions offices, career centers, advisors, etc., to help students who are considering graduate school.