Think back to your freshman year of college: what comes to mind?

Maybe meeting new people, taking tough classes or ordering pizza every night?

That first year of freedom brings big changes for many new students.

The most daunting may be managing their money for the first time.

UW-Eau Claire allows credit card companies to market to students but only if a student organization or academic department sponsors the company's visit to campus.

Policies vary by school in the UW-System, but at UW-Stout and UW-Madison, school leaders restrict where credit card companies or other marketing organizations can try to sell to students.

Fall is approaching, and students are filing onto campuses across western Wisconsin.

For UW-Eau Claire freshman Lauren Bagg, that means hauling boxes, learning her way around and applying for a debit card.

"I've never had a credit card or debit card, so I'm excited to see what I do on my own," Bagg said. "It'll be something new."

Students at UW-Eau Claire have the option to get a debit card they can use in conjunction with their school IDs.

Bagg says managing money is nothing new for her: her parents taught her at age six what to do.

Still, she says she knows there will be temptations.

"Even though I'm sure I'll want to spend it in other places, I'll try to manage it," Bagg said.

Several parents we talked to say that's a concern.

"We're trying to make sure the money we have for her stretches," said Lauren's father Alan Bagg.

At CVTC, sales companies are not allowed to market credit cards to students in any campus facilities.

Leaders there say open marketing would be difficult to regulate.

At UW-Eau Claire, administrators say the policy is in place to protect the students.

" I think it's important we have control over how much sales activity goes on and under what conditions, and campus isn't just seen as a marketing ground with a captive audience," said Andrew Soll, UW-Eau Claire Vice Chancellor for Business and Student Services.

Soll says campus leaders work to educate freshman students on managing their money.

All freshmen get this worksheet with tips for avoiding credit card debt during their first semester.

But from there, it's all up to the students to spend their money wisely.