Teaching Financial Literacy to Adult Students: Different Strokes for Different Folks

Teaching Financial Literacy to Adult Students: Different Strokes for Different Folks

There is a gap between how adults perceive their financial knowledge and how they test out Source: FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. Adult students: who are they? Identifying the needs and concerns of adult students Teaching or re-teaching financial literacy What adult students need to know

Adult Students: Who Are They?

What We Call Them Adult students Re-entry students Returning students Adult learners Non-traditional students

Characteristics of Adult Students Over age 24 Delay enrollment after high school Attend college part-time Work full-time

Characteristics of Adult Students Is financially independent Has children or other dependents Is a single parent Has a GED

What Adults Bring to Your Campus Work and life experiences Family commitments Debt obligations Time constraints Wisdom and maturity Organization Self-motivation and determination

Barriers that Differ Finding time Struggle to balance between school, work, and family commitments Finding money Some adults have mortgages, car loans, and student loans

Identifying the Needs and Concerns of Adult Students

Understanding Their Needs Adult learners need To have autonomy over their learning and be self-directed in the learning process To be motivated To be able to see for themselves how the information matters to them

Understanding Their Needs Adults students Are goal-oriented Are motivated if their experiences are recognized and validated

Concerns: Credit Card Management pay their credit cards in full pay the minimum payment on their credit cards do not compare offers or collect information when shopping for credit cards Source: FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Concerns: Budgeting 36% of households break even and 19% spend more than their monthly income 41% 36% 19% Spend less Break even Spend more Source: FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Concerns: Budgeting and Saving do not have a budget do not have a rainy day fund Sources: National Foundation for Credit Counseling and FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Concerns: Managing Debt have medical debt have used non-bank borrowing within the past five years Source: FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Teaching or Re-teaching Financial Literacy

Transference: The extent to which adults are able to apply what they learned in an education setting to their everyday lives Source: U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services

Five Elements of Effective Financial Literacy #1 Welcoming environment #2 Skilled facilitation #3 Assessment, evaluation, and feedback #4 Sensitivity to differences #5 Varied delivery styles and methods

#1 Welcoming Environment Avoid youth-oriented environments Schedule during evenings (or at times that meet the needs of your adult students) Provide childcare Offer incentives Provide certification of completion

#1 Welcoming Environment Use icebreakers Provide structured opportunities for input Acknowledge contributions even if answers are not correct Ensure that there is adequate break time to allow participants to meet and talk informally

#2 Skilled Facilitation Facilitate as opposed to teach or train Create a self-learning environment Provide a well-structured training Communicate clearly

#3 Assessment, Evaluation, and Feedback Before Assess financial knowledge level of participants After Gather feedback to determine whether session has met their needs

#4 Sensitivity to Differences Develop/utilize materials that use inclusive language Define new terms and use examples Avoid youthful jargon and mantras

#5 Varied Delivery Styles and Methods Use a variety of facilitation approaches or methods Facilitated discussions Small groups Brainstorming Exercises Case studies

What Adult Students Need to Know

Money Management Recognize how cash flow management and net worth analysis can be used as tools to achieve financial goals: Cash flow management Personal net worth Financial goal setting Source: Institute for Financial Literacy

Credit Management Know how and where to obtain credit, and the implications of using and misusing credit: Obtaining credit Credit utilization Source: Institute for Financial Literacy

Debt Management Recognize how using debt can be a tool in asset building: Debt measurements Debt resolution Source: Institute for Financial Literacy

Risk Management Use appropriate risk management strategies to protect assets and quality of life: Insurance Risk management Source: Institute for Financial Literacy

Investing and Retirement Planning Implement investment and retirement strategies to achieve financial goals Planning Strategies Source: Institute for Financial Literacy

Loan Repayment Understand terms and repayment options for successful student loan repayment The cost of borrowing Repayment options Benefits and drawbacks of each repayment plan and consolidation Using NLSLDS

Conclusion and Resources

Theory of Adult Education Financial literacy education for adults should: RESPECT RECOGNIZE MOTIVATE RELEVANT

Resources Financiallit.org Provide national standards for adult financial education programs

Resources FDIC.gov Computer-based instruction for adults Money Smart for Adults Money Smarts for Older Adults

Resources Bankrate.com Debt management; credit card comparisons; college financing; interest rates; taxes; saving and investing; and more

Helpful Resources NorthStar Ready-To-Use Resources http://nseds.com/resources/ Infographic: 12 Interview Tips to Leave Them Impressed Presentation and Checklist: Identity Theft Infographic: Top 5 Things to Do to Manage Your Student Loans http://studentloansmatter.org/ Free resources for the good of all

Thanks for Attending John Brown 800-640-8602 jbrown@glhec.org

OASFAA CONFERENCE SPONSOR SPRING 2016 Thank you to Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc. for their sponsorship of the OASFAA 2016 Spring Conference!