News Releases

LAWRENCE — A new Financial Literacy Program at the University of Kansas will help students manage money, create and follow budgets and keep debt to a minimum. The pilot program will be implemented this fall.

The Financial Literacy Program is based on the work of the Financial Literacy Task Force, which issued its final report in spring 2009. It involves collaboration between the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success, Student Senate, KU Memorial Unions and the School of Business, with input from the Office of Student Financial Aid and other offices across campus. The program is dedicated to educating students on how to analyze their finances, make sound decisions and control their financial lives at KU and into the future.

Surveys of KU students indicated that 82 percent thought it was important to learn more about money management and credit and debt management and 84 percent thought it was important to learn about savings and investing.

“Providing financial literacy tools will help KU students stay in school, persist through degree completion and succeed during and after their time at KU,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success.

The Financial Literacy Program will assist KU students through one-on-one sessions, class presentations, publications and educational outreach. Its website will offer videos and other social networking components. The program coordinator and student peer financial assistants also will be able to refer students to campus resources such as the Office of Student Financial Aid, Legal Services for Students, the Bursar’s Office and the School of Business’ Personal Finance course.

The program office will be located on the third floor of the Kansas Union.