Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, ensures that all eligible Americans benefit from federal financial assistance--grants, loans, and work-study programs for education beyond high school. By championing the promise of postsecondary education, the office upholds its value as a force for greater inclusion in American…

Low-income individuals and families experience a great deal of financial hardship that impacts virtually every dimension of their lives. This chronic financial instability not only imposes high degrees of day-to-day stress but may also limit the ability to save and invest, constraining prospects for a more secure future. Across the country,…

In a consumer education brochure, the Federal Trade Commission traces steps that a family might take in fiancing an auto. Through the use of a case study comparison of the credit terms of two car dealers, explanations are given for terms such as annual percentage rate, credit life insurance, finance charge, and deferred payment price. Copies of…

Individuals and organizations administering consumer credit services are urged to adopt the following recommendations and the Code of Billing and Collection Practices (also included): (1) Credit grantors should support continuing educational programs at national and local levels on the nature of the consumer credit system. (2) Whenever possible,…

This guide to creative home financing outlines basic concepts needed in shopping for a home loan. Many plans are described so that buyers can make their own decisions. The guide contains three sections: (1) getting started--highlighting the essentials; (2) defining terms; and (3) payment tables. The first section summarizes 15 financing plans in a…

This cooperative extension bulletin provides basic information about credit cards and their use. It covers the following topics: types of credit cards (revolving credit, travel and entertainment, and debit); factors to consider when evaluating a credit card (interest rates, grace period, and annual membership fee); other credit card costs (late…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school and college economic students, the handbook gives general information about investing in the stock market. Arranged into seven sections, the handbook discusses the typical shareholder, common and preferred stocks, buying and selling bonds, how to develop a personal…

A companion volume to Part I--Summary Report, this volume contains the reports of four committees. Topics are: (1) The Role and Functioning of Consumer Credit (consumer credit and social policy, consumer credit and economic growth, structure of the consumer credit market, the economics of consumer credit, credit revenues, credit costs, and a model…

Designed for the general public and possibly suitable also for high school economics students, this pamphlet discusses a federal law that requires that the borrower as well as the lender comply with government rules relating to the use of credit in purchasing securities, even when the borrower obtains credit outside the United States. The pamphlet…

Two problems dealing with consumer education are presented: (1) Obtaining and using credit; and (2) Meeting obligations as a citizen-consumer. Each problem is dealt with at three conceptual levels. Curriculum materials for each of the levels include objectives, directed activities, suggestions for feedback to students, a list of materials required…

This guide is one of a series of four such guides that are directed toward those people who provide financial counseling to consumers who have problems with overindebtedness. Recognizing that many who serve as financial counselors have little training in the field (for example, clergymen or social workers), the guides are not offered as complete…

This guide is one of a series of four such guides that are directed toward those people who provide financial counseling to consumers who have problems with overindebtedness. Recognizing that many who serve as financial counselors have little training in the field (for example, clergymen or social workers), the guides are not offered as complete…

The training course is designed to develop the awareness needed in accepting checks, as well as what to do in a situation where the person is purposely passing fraudulent checks. The format of the document is a two-column arrangement with an outline of the material to be taught juxtaposed next to suggestions for teaching the material. Four…

Teaching students to knowledgeably handle their personal finances is the central objective of the units presented in this curriculum guide. Included are four sections addressing budgeting, saving, spending, and credit. Each section includes a description of appropriate information to be presented, activity experiences intended to facilitate…

There are numerous financial planning and money management handbooks, but few focus on the needs of young adults between 16 and 25 years of age. Colleges and some high schools are increasingly offering courses covering money management, but the materials are more "economics-focused" than "real-world" focused. Young people are huge consumers who…