Most of today’s students have limited knowledge of finances. That appears to be one of the reasons why the majority of students have trouble saving money and investing. In this article, we look at financial literacy programs for college students.
For the sake of this piece, we will define financial literacy as having a basic awareness of financial ideas and skills.
It’s critical to realize that a person’s level of financial literacy is a key predictor of their future success. Regrettably, managing money is a challenge for most college students. Some, on the other hand, are confused about how to balance their studies with fun.
Recommended: 6 Disadvantages of Studying in Canada for International Students
Instead of concentrating on the most crucial tasks, which are studying and paying for their education, most students spend a lot of money to maintain their pricey college lifestyles.
Researchers have found that the majority of college students frequently face distinct financial difficulties without nobody to guide them in choosing the best course of action. These students are at a stage in life where acquiring fundamental knowledge and financial skills could have a big impact on them.
One study on students found that, for reasons best known to them, most college students were unwilling to seek assistance when they experienced any kind of difficulties from the appropriate individuals and locations.
As a result, the majority of students experience financial illiteracy because they lack the motivation and readiness to ask for assistance from the appropriate sources. If you have the time, you might occasionally spare some time to attend financial seminars or conferences.
Benefits of Financial Literacy Programs for College Students
Below are some of the reasons why financial literacy programs for college students are important to educate college students on financial literacy.
You’ll discover how to borrow money.
Researchers assert that there is never a good time for teaching children about financial literacy, particularly when it comes to the idea of borrowing money. It appears that the majority of students borrow money to fund their college education, and when they ultimately graduate, they have debt from student loans.
Understanding how to apply for and repay loans is a crucial component of financial literacy. Learning about credit reports and ratings, which are important factors to consider when asking for a loan, is the first step in developing financial literacy.
You’ll improve your spending patterns.
Spending money correctly is a crucial life skill that should be learned early on. When in high school and college, most students work part-time jobs, but they typically have no financial obligations. As a result, they spend their money on other enjoyable pursuits that are not productive.
Regrettably, most students don’t learn or develop the talents that will benefit them in the real world. Students who are financially literate gain the ability to budget their money and keep thorough records of their spending. Students also learn the value of living within their means and refraining from acting in ways that will win them friends.
Students will gain knowledge on how to guard against financial loss.
One advantage of encouraging financial literacy in students is that you’ll be able to guard against suffering monetary losses. Early instruction is necessary to instill in students the value and necessity of maintaining an emergency fund. Many times, if not all of the time, things don’t go as planned.
Thus, having an emergency fund may enable you to avoid unneeded pressure and stress. Another great strategy to safeguard your finances is by having insurance.
Students will learn about investing and saving.
One of the most important things young people should know, according to studies, is how to invest and save. This includes everything from selecting the best bank for college students to actually saving money. Saving money and making investments are reportedly two things parents can start teaching their kids as early as possible.
If you discover the crucial role of investing and saving, there’s a good chance you won’t ever forget it. You will get an understanding of topics like how to invest for future needs, the value of consulting financial advisors, how to make long- and short-term plans, how to accumulate emergency savings, and how to keep track of both your savings and investment accounts.
Recommended: 5 Free Nursing Schools in Germany for International Students
Your grasp of your income will improve.
Knowing your income is one of the key components of financial literacy. Understanding what happens to the money you earn is the other crucial component.
Regrettably, most people pay off their debt with practically all of their earnings, which is unfortunate. You make money after paying taxes and deducting where it goes, after receiving benefits from your employer, and after receiving your paycheck.
Prior to entering the workforce, students should seek to develop their financial literacy. Since most students work part-time jobs while they are in school, they should take advantage of this time to sharpen their financial and budgeting skills.
Financial Literacy Programs for College Students
Below are some of the best financial literacy programs for college students that you should consider. The first 3 listed are apps that offer financial literacy, the next 5 are websites that offer financial literacy programs, and the others are institutions that offer similar financial literacy programs.
Mint
Mint is a terrific tool for keeping track of your money while you’re on the move if you’re searching for a simple, straightforward approach to managing your money, setting savings goals, and constructing viable budgets.
By providing a location where credit and debit cards, investments, bills, and income can all be brought together for simple management, the software appeals to consumers. Students can watch as their net worth increases, and their outstanding student loan balances decrease.
World of Money
By concentrating on one child at a time, World of Money seeks to create a population of adults who are financially literate. For children from 7 to 18, the app offers individualized schooling and financial education. The Moguls program, which offers various curricula for students ages 7 to 26, is available to students who are interested in business and saving.
More than 200 public, private, independent, and charter schools are partners with this initiative, which serves the New York Tri-State region.
Zogo
The goal of Zogo is to increase financial literacy by offering fun, instructive games that cover key concepts. The Zogo app, which has a focus on Gen Z, provides more than 300 gamified modules that let students learn at their own pace and have fun while doing it.
The app encourages participation by offering users the possibility to earn checking account bonuses and gift cards if they complete more modules. It partners with banks and credit cards in all 50 states.
Websites that offer financial literacy programs are listed in the table below:
| FINRA Foundation | Check them out here |
| AFSA Education Foundation | Check them out here |
| Salt Money | Check them out here |
| CashCourse | Check them out here |
| FinAid | Check them out here |
Other financial literacy programs for college students can be found at the following schools:
| Arkansas State University |
| Babson College |
| Boston College |
| Bowling Green State University |
| California State University, Northridge |
| Champlain College |
| Creighton University |
| Duke University |
| Eastern University |
| George Washington University |
| Harvard University |
| Indiana University Bloomington |
| Kansas State University |
| Kennesaw State University |
| Liberty University |
| Loyola University Chicago |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology |
| New York University |
| North Central College |
| Pennsylvania State University |
| Saint Mary’s College |
| Sam Houston State University |
| Southern Connecticut State University |
| Stanford University |
| State University of New York at Binghamton |
| Syracuse University |
| Texas State University |
| Texas Tech University |
| The Ohio State University |
| University of Arizona |
| University of California, Davis |
| University of California, Los Angeles |
| University of Central Florida |
| University of Cincinnati |
| University of Colorado Denver |
| University of Georgia |
| University of Iowa |
| University of Kansas |
| University of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
| University of Missouri |
| University of Montana |
| University of New Mexico |
| University of North Texas |
| University of Pittsburgh |
| University of South Carolina |
| University of South Florida |
| University of West Florida |
| University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Western Michigan University |
| Yale University |
