NSLP Launches Financial Education Certification Program for Higher Education Administrators, Counselors to Increase Financial Capability Among Students

The Personal Financial Management Certification program provides a proven, self-paced personal finance curriculum developed by leading academicians

LINCOLN, Neb., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NSLP, a private, not-for-profit focused on increasing student success at post-secondary institutions, today announced the launch of the Personal Financial Management Certification program to increase and enhance financial education programs throughout the nation.

According to a 2011 Ohio Financial Wellness Project study, 60 percent of college students stated that they wanted more financial education from their institution.

The Personal Financial Management Certification program is a robust, self-paced curriculum designed for individuals who interact with students regarding financial matters. Participants receive a solid academic foundation across a broad spectrum of financial principles: financial planning, spending, credit, risk management, career planning, paying for college and talking to students about money.

The intuitive 15-module curriculum leverages a traditional textbook and an online environment offering interactive calculators, videos, worksheets and quizzes to reinforce comprehension of the principles taught. The program begins with an assessment to measure baseline knowledge and demonstrate learning gains. Once participants work at their own pace through the 15 modules, they are given a proctored final exam. Successful participants earn the designation Certified Personal Financial Managers (CPFM).

"The lack of financial capability and a clear understanding of basic financial principles are holding young adults back from realizing the financial independence they desire," stated Kate Trombitas, vice president for financial education at NSLP. "The Personal Financial Management Certification program arms our frontline colleagues in higher education with the skills and confidence they need to provide these critical skills," she continued.

According to a September 2011 published report from APLUS, Wave II, a University of Arizona study on young adults and financial capability, 95 percent of students stated that financial independence from their family is an important goal for them.

"The Personal Financial Management Certification program provides all the answers to the questions your students will come to you with regarding their finances," said Kimberly Brown, Ph.D., director of finance at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois, who participated in a pilot program last summer. "This program will make you feel more comfortable when talking to students about financial matters," Brown continued.

The certification program was developed by NSLP in collaboration with the Financial Wellness Initiative at the East Carolina University College of Business. The authors and course contributors have been teaching personal finance in the college classroom to hundreds of students each year for more than a decade. In addition, they have taught personal finance to hundreds of college faculty, staff and administration throughout the years.

"We collaborated with the Financial Wellness Initiative because of their core understanding of the target audience's mindset regarding personal finance and the outstanding accomplishments they have achieved at East Carolina University in educating both students and the administration on the importance of financial capability," Trombitas said.

Nearly 100 pilot participants, ranging from college students, guidance counselors, college counselors, staff and vice presidents at institutions of higher education, have successfully completed the certification program. The pilot program has had a 90 percent graduation rate, and participants have given the program high accolades for its ability to simplify complex financial information and make it easy to convey to students.

"This is a comprehensive financial literacy program that provides the tools and techniques to allow you to counsel students on proper financial management," commented David Glezerman, assistant vice president and bursar at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who also took part in the pilot program.

Trombitas said, "NSLP is a passionate advocate for financial capability. We feel privileged to bring this much needed program to the higher education community. We believe it is vital that every college student have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about the long-term effects of financial decisions."

The Personal Financial Management Certification program is housed in NSLP's Institute for Personal Financial Management. Individuals interested in becoming a Certified Personal Financial Manager (CPFM) can complete an interest form here.

To learn more about the Institute for Personal Financial Management and the Personal Financial Management certification program, visit www.theIPFM.org or call 1.855.264.1857.

ABOUT NSLP
Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, NSLP is a private, not-for-profit company with a 25-year legacy in the higher education marketplace. A former Top-10 student loan guarantor, NSLP continues to be a passionate leader and advocate for student success; providing colleges and universities nationwide with financial education, delinquency prevention, default aversion, financial aid related support, and Title IV training and compliance programs. NSLP collaborates with schools to develop programs that will ultimately help our future generations thrive financially.

SOURCE NSLP