What Is Financial Literacy?

"Financial literacy is not an end in itself, but a step-by-step process. It begins in childhood and continues throughout a person's life all the way to retirement. Instilling the financial-literacy message in children is especially important, because they will carry it for the rest of their lives." George Carl

Financial literacy is the ability to understand finance. More specifically, it refers to an individual's ability to make informed judgments and effective decisions about the use and management of their money. Don't allow the lack of financial literacy to become a stumbling block.

National Financial Literacy Month is recognized in the United States in April in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.  Now is a good time to create an account using the National Student Loan Data System. NSLDS is the U.S. Department of Education's database for student aid, including federal loans. Using your federal pin number to create your account, you can view up-to date federal loan information. This website will provide you with the name of your federal loan servicer and contact information in case you have questions.

Student-Specific Websites

  • Hands on Banking - Want to take charge of your own finances and reach your goals? Free resources to assist with responsible money management.
  • The College Planning Toolbox - A suite of free tools, calculators, and resources to help students and families navigate their way through every phase of saving, planning, and paying for college.
  • Path to Success - Free interactive modules covering financial basics: federal student loan repayments, savings and investments, credit cards, credit scores and reports, payment types, and more.
  • Money Saving Guide - Money saving tips you can't afford to ignore.
  • Money Mondays - Improve your financial wellness by attending free weekly webinars that make it easy to learn about financial basics. Make sure you check out one of the interactive worksheets.
  • You Can Deal With It - Offers tools to help you successfully manage financial decisions. This site provides information on: Money management; Student loan repayment options; Budgeting; and The benefits and dangers of credit cards.
  • Choose to Save - Financial web calculators to help you save.
  • It's My Money! - This U.S. government website is dedicated to teaching Americans the basics about financial education. Also, includes information from 20 federal agencies.
  • Smart About Money - Find help to deal with what life throws at you.
  • InDebtEd - Are you a Savings Guru or Debt Casualty? Find out by taking the "Life or Debt" quiz.
  • Practical Money Skills - Financial Literacy for everyone, including advice for graduates. Click on one of the interactive games to test your money management skills.
  • National Student Loan Data System - Create an account through NSLDS, using your federal pin number, to see your up-to-date federal loan information.
  • InDebtEd - Think you can beat debt and stay happy?  Take the "Life or Debt" quiz or play the Debt Ski Game.  Experience the danger of excessive debt.  Are you a savings guru or a debt casualty?
  • Feed the Pig - Are you ready to $ave?  Get free savings tips and remember to feed the pig.
  • 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy - It's your money and your life.  Challenge yourself to take steps to make it debt-free.

Annual Credit Report

A good credit report is very important. Your credit report contains information about where you live and how you pay your bills. Businesses inspect your credit history when they evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, etc. You have the right to receive a copy of your credit report. Request your FREE annual credit report. It's QUICK, EASY and SECURE.