| Welcome back to the Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach's (CFCO) e-newsletter! The CFCO is an applied outreach unit of Penn State Erie, the Behrend College 's Sam & Irene Black School of Business . Our mission is to conduct outreach to educate the public, from kids to adults, on financial literacy issues. The Center's outreach programs focus on financial management and literacy, as well as college preparation and workforce development.
|
|
National Financial Literacy Month
April 2012 | |
Since 2008, there has been no debate that the United States
has experienced some of the worst economic times that our nation has seen. Sadly, the impact on families and communities around the country could have been less if only we knew more about how to effectively manage our finances.
In 2003, the US government named April Financial Literacy Month. It is recognized in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and to help educate and inform Americans how to establish better financial habits. Countless financial institutions and nonprofit organizations around the country will participate in and promote this initiative.
This is a perfect opportunity to take a hard look at your own finances and commit to making better financial decisions. There are several simple steps you can take to will dramatically improve, or ensure that you maintain, your current financial situation. To start on the road to better finances, click here. |
| Mindful Money
|  This month the CFCO's Mindful Money column will be featuring information on National Financial Literacy Month. Vince Shorb, with the National Financial Educators Council, will be lending his knowledge and expertise as this month's financial expert in the CFCO's Mindful Money column.
For more information about Vince, or any of the Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach's financial experts, please visit our "Ask an Expert" page, or click here. |
| Mark Your Calendars
Mad City Money - April 28, 2012
On Saturday, April 28, 2012, the Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach, in partnership with the Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union, will be hosting a Mad City Money simulation program for the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania on the campus on Penn State Erie, the Behrend College. This program, developed by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) simulates real-life financial issues that students will face in the future. Participants will be given a budget and will have to try to make the best decisions on how to spend their money.
The girls in attendance will not only have a chance to network with other Girl Scouts, but will also learn about personal finances and responsible financial decision-making through the Mad City Money program.
If you know of a Girl Scouts troop (grades 6-8) that may be interested in this event, please forward this information onto them. Also, any girl interested in participating that would like to register to become a Girl Scout is also welcomed to register for this event. For more information, please visit the Girl Scouts' website by clicking here. To register and attend, simply press the online registration tab at the top of the home page and sign in with your username and password. If you need assistance, contact the GSWPA Help Desk at helpdesk@gswpa.org or call 1-800-248-3355 ext. 1460.
2nd Annual High School Symposium - May 16 and May 17, 2012 | |
Registration for the 2nd Annual High School Symposium on Financial Literacy and College Success is now open! The events will take place on May 16th and 17th, 2012. Hundreds of high school students from all over Western Pennsylvania will come together at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College to participate in the 2nd Annual High School Symposium. This is an event you won't want your students to miss.
This year's event also includes workshops for educators as well as non-profit staff. The workshops will focus on effective techniques for the implementation of financial concepts and much more. Topics to be discussed include: credit, savings and investing, and consumer protection. Representatives from the Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union, Pennsylvania Attorney Generals' Office and the Pennsylvania Securities Commissions will present three different sessions for educators. For more information on this workshops, click here.
To register for, or to request additional information on the 2nd Annual High School Symposium, visit the CFCO's website, or click here.
Money Matters - May 31, 2012
On Thursday, May 31, 2012 the Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Securities Commission, PA Treasury Department, AARP, and Department of Banking, will be hosting Money Matters Conference at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College. The event is schedule from 6-9pm and complimentary refreshments will be served throughout the event. Whether you are looking to manage your money more effectively, start investing for your future, or simply looking for better strategies, this event will be of benefit to you. The conference is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Registration is now open for this event! To register, click here. For additional information or a copy of the event flier, please contact the CFCO at cfco@psu.edu or at (814) 898-6553. |
Need Help with Your Taxes?
United Way of Erie County | |
If you need help preparing and filing your taxes, you may be eligible for the Erie FREE taxes program provided by the United Way of Erie County  through funding from the Erie Community Foundation. Last year the United Way helped over 3,200 families and individuals across Erie County receive more than $6 million total. To learn more about this program, the eligibility requirements or volunteer opportunities, click here.
If you are not from the Erie County region and are looking for assistance to prepare and file your taxes, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are also available for taxpayers who qualify across the country. To learn more about these programs, as well as to find locations near you, click here. |
|
NYSE Teachers' Workshop & Fellowship Program
Summer 2012 | |
Are you interested in learning more about the financial marketplace and its importance on your life as well as the global economy? Are you looking for innovative ways to integrate financial literacy into your classroom? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may consider looking into the New York Stock Exchange Teachers' Workshop and Fellowship Programs for 2012. These programs are being offered by the New York Stock Exchange's Euronext Program and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy.
The Teacher Workshop is a five-day event in New York City that is designed to provide educators with a better understanding of the capital-raising process, how to include financial information across the curriculum, and additional skills and resources that can be implemented in a classroom setting. Registration is $150, which covers a continental breakfast and lunch each day. Transportation and accomodations are not included in this cost.
The Teacher Fellowship Program will be held in Washington, D.C.. This competitive program is intended to reach educators in underserved communities, especially at Title I or below. The Fellowships will help to defry the cost of the Teacher Workshop so that well-performing educators may attend.
For more information on these events or registration, please click here. |
National Financial Capability Challenge
March 12 - April 13, 2012 | |
Join the CFCO in the National Financial Capability Challenge! The challenge is a FREE event for all educators across the nation who work with high-school students ages 13-19. The purpose of the challenge is to increase student knowledge and awareness of financial literacy topics so that they can take control of ther own financial futures. Not only will  the NFCC challenge all participants, but they will be rewarded for their participation and success. Each student will receive a certificate, and those schools and states with the highest participation rates will receive special distinction.
If you are interested in learning more about the National Financial Capability Challenge, please visit the CFCO's website, or simply click here. |
Financial EduNation
An Online Resource Center for Everyone! | |
Financial EduNation is an online resource center offered by the CFCO in partnership with the National Financial Educators Council. This online tool is full of resources for students, parents, educators, and community leaders. Students can test their knowledge of financial literacy topics, while parents and educators can learn how to communicate more effectively with youth about financial literacy topics.
Qualified organizations receive complementary access to the comprehensive Financial EduNation resource center. This is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information about the Financial EduNation resource center, simply contact at our office at cfco@psu.edu. To visit Financial EduNation, click here. |
Parents' Corner - Webinar Now Available!
Online Resource Center for Parents | |
The CFCO is pleased to announce the creation of an all-new online parent resource center available on its website. The resource center is complete with resources, activities, and information for parents to help their children learn about financial literacy topics. The information and resources cover all age groups. This fall, a free webinar hosted by our director, Erica Jackson, and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is now available for viewing. To review the webinar, or to view the Parents' Corner page, click here. |
| Program Information & Samples
| |
If you are interested in learning more about the CFCO's financial literacy outreach programs, simply visit the link above, or click here. In addition, there are samples of each presentation so that you can get a feel for what they include. Some programs also have informational videos for your viewing. Once you get to the site, simply click on the program that you would like to learn more about to view samples and additional information about that program.
Also, if you are interested in requesting one, or more, of the programs, follow the link at the bottom of the page to the Program Request Form, or click here to view the form. |
|
New! Good Financial Decisions
| |
Good Financial Decisions is a FREE online learning self-study program for teen and adult audiences and covers the four personal finance topics; Borrower Be Aware, Digging Out of Debt, Understanding Employee Benefits, and Where to Stash Your Cash. Each session is about 30 minutes long, and worksheets and handouts are part of the program. Good Financial Decisions provides current information young adults must understand in order to achieve financial security. For more information, or to request this program, contact the CFCO, or fill out a program request form here. |
|
"Like" Us on Facebook
Stay Connected | |
If you have not already "liked" the Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach, you may want to in order to stay up to date on what the CFCO is doing. New outreach initiatives, CFCO events, and the latest in financial news are all posted regularly on our Facebook page in an effort to keep consumers informed.
To "like," search "The Center for Financial and Consumer Outreach," or click here. |
|
2011 Annual Report | |
Interested in learning more about the outreach initiatives and programs that CFCO carried out last year? Our 2010-2011 Annual Activity Report now available for viewing on the CFCO website. |
|
|
Contact Us
Erica Jackson, Director
ekj2@psu.edu
(814)-898-6784
Megan Wolf, Graduate Assistant
mew5212@psu.edu
(814)-898-6553
Amanda Shields, Intern
ars5458@psu.edu
|
|
|
|
CFCO Homepage | |
Our new website is equipped with everything that you need to set out on the road to becoming financially savvy!
On our new site, you will find links to current financial news, a background on our center, a list of our current programs complete with a program request form, and our contact information. | |
|
Join the Conversation!
April is Financial Literacy Month, and we want to know:
If you had to grade yourself based upon your financial literacy, what grade would you receive?
Vote Here | | |
|
Additional Resources
CFCO's Financial Calculators:
Saving for a Goal
Back to School Budget
My Bonus After Taxes
Save A Million Dollars
Mortgage Payment
For more information and more financial calculators, visit the CFCO's website here. | | |
|
|
