Webcasts explain ways colleges can implement effective financial literacy programs for students.

(April 22, 2008) - NSLP will host two, free webcasts on April 29 and April 30 to train colleges and universities how to help their students learn money management skills.

"There's a clear need for personal financial education among college students when study results show 76 percent of them wish they had more help preparing for their financial futures," says NSLP President Randy Heesacker. "By helping colleges develop effective, on-campus financial literacy programs, we can help students learn sound financial management skills."

Webcast instructors are Mel Stephens and April Qualls, NSLP's expert Money Management Consultants, who have helped many colleges and universities successfully develop financial education programs for their students. Stephens is an Accredited Financial Counselor and Certified Credit Report Reviewer with over 10 years of experience in consumer financial counseling. Qualls, also an Accredited Financial Counselor, has over 10 years of experience in higher education and student lending.

The webcast is available on Tuesday, April 29 (1-3 pm central); and again on Wednesday, April 30 (10 am to noon central).

Part 1: Financial Success for Your Students-How Financial Aid Professionals Fit into the Picture
You know that good financial skills are critical to consumers, including your students, but you're not sure where you fit into the picture or where to begin to provide this kind of learning on your campus. This session focuses on why taking leadership in teaching financial literacy is important and suggests effective tools especially designed for the college years. (1 hour)

Part 2: Identifying & Helping Financially-Distressed Students
Do you know how to spot a financially-distressed student? Learn signs to watch for and hear about financial literacy strategies and programs to support you as you identify and assist financially-distressed students. (1 hour)

Registration information is available in the "Workshops and Webcasts" section of NSLP's Web site at www.nslp.org.

Schools that miss the webcast, or want others to see it, can view and download the presentation and handouts after April 30 in the "Workshops and Webcasts" section of www.nslp.org.

Schools can also use NSLP's free resource, Developing a Financial Literacy Program for Your Students, in the "Default Prevention and Financial Literacy" section of NSLP's Web site. This helpful guide explains the key elements of a good program, offers tips for getting students to participate and outlines effective ways to measure success.

The webcasts are part of NSLP's month-long activities celebrating "Financial Literacy Month." In early April, NSLP hosted a week-long "Nebraska Financial Literacy Week." Events included ten financial literacy seminars offered to students on eight college campuses across the state. Later in the month, NSLP will participate in "Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill" to help raise awareness about the need for financial education for college students.

For more information about NSLP visit www.nslp.org.

Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, the National Student Loan Program is a private, nonprofit corporation with over 20 years of experience as a student loan guaranty agency. NSLP works with lenders and post-secondary schools across the nation to help students gain access to low-cost student loans. With annual loan guarantees of over $2.6 billion, NSLP is one of the nation's major guaranty agencies and continues to serve as the designated guaranty agency for Nebraska.

Posted 04/23/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.