Texas A&M University students training to become financial advisers are now offering free budget coaching to Brazos Valley residents, part of a program that held its ribbon cutting Friday, KXXV reported.
Charles Schwab and Carter Financial Management pay for the program, according to the station. Its class started in August, and its leaders say it is growing.
Residents get the free help by signing up with the REACH Project, a nonprofit that works to help people become financially stable and buy homes; REACH clients become the clinic's clients, KBTX reported when the university first announced the clinic in December 2025.
Students handle basic coaching on topics such as building credit, paying down debt and investing, while industry professionals provide fuller financial planning at no charge, according to that report.
"Some will actually start mentoring under CFPs to provide financial coaching to members of our community who might not have access to that otherwise," Chris Field, director of the financial planning program, told KXXV. Field said the spring calendar already holds more than 200 booked coaching sessions.
Practice before the first job
Field described the program as a chance for students to practice with real clients before they start their careers. Julian Lopez, managing director of Schwab Advisory Services, told KXXV the field has "over 70,000 places where we can put students into the workforce."
