Key Trends

These trends signify unprecedented need and unprecedented opportunity.

Wall Street and Main Street
We’ve all seen the volatility of the US and foreign stock markets. Did you know that market volatility will mean tighter credit restrictions, especially for younger adults with shorter credit histories? This may mean that loans for school and major purchases will be harder to come by and may include higher fees and restrictive conditions. In addition, credit card terms may come with quicker-to-trigger penalties. Are the young adults in your life ready?

Declining financial skills among American teenagers

The annual Jump$tart personal finance survey speaks loudly that young people do not know nearly as much as they should about money matters. And they need to get on the right track before they’re out on their own. Parents want their teens to become money-savvy during their transition to adulthood but personal finance is a complicated subject for parents and schools to teach. Too much of the financial information on the web is agendized. Books and lectures don’t work. There is a critical need for unbiased, clear and accessible personal finance training for teens.

Growth of online learning
The surge of computers in homes and schools, and the explosion of internet access make computer-based instruction very practical and convenient, especially in light of its ability to compress content into more vivid, time-saving delivery.

Student debt burden at an all-time high
Tuition rates have risen so fast that even affluent families find themselves ill-prepared to fund a college education, pushing students and their families to assume significant debt. The average student who pursues a four-year degree accumulates $15,000 to $20,000 in debt during his college career. According to a report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, more and more institutions of higher learning cite financial hardship as the number one reason students drop out.