Nation’s leading education-loan guarantor introduces new financial-literacy materials
USA Funds helps graduate and professional students devise financial plans
INDIANAPOLIS — USA Funds®, the nation’s leading education-loan guarantor, announces the introduction of new materials to equip postsecondary-education institutions to teach graduate and professional students and other adult learners to manage their money. “Take Stock — Devising a Realistic Financial Plan” is the eighth module of USA Funds Life Skills®, an award-winning financial-literacy program for college students.
The new module helps graduate and professional students and adult learners live within their means, set limits on the amount they borrow, manage their student loans and develop personal budgets.
“To successfully manage the significant education debt that graduate and professional students typically incur, these students need to develop and follow a financial plan,” said Denise B. Feser, USA Funds vice president, customer relations. “This new USA Funds Life Skills component offers postsecondary institutions an entertaining and engaging resource that encourages students to examine their financial lives.”
The new USA Funds Life Skills module includes a professional resource manual and an interactive CD-ROM for students. Also included are a trainer’s manual to assist those delivering the program and a trainer’s CD, which includes a step-by-step training guide and presentation slides.
The module offers the following features:
- Exercises that help students discover their spending styles.
- A calculator that helps students assess whether they’re taking on too much debt in relation to their current or prospective incomes.
- Advice for the wise use of credit cards.
- Tips for developing a budget.
- An interactive program that illustrates the benefits of saving even a few dollars each month while in graduate or professional school.
- A glossary of education-loan terms.
- A list of additional resources in print and on the Web.
USA Funds Life Skills is a component of USA Funds’ comprehensive program to help college students successfully manage and repay their education loans and prevent student-loan defaults. Learn more about USA Funds Life Skills.