Financial Literacy-Student Financial Aid - Carnegie Mellon University

Financial Literacy

Personal financial literacy is more than just being able to balance a checkbook, compare prices or get a job. It also includes skills like long-term vision and planning for the future, and the discipline to use those skills every day.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (sections 1041 and 1042) requires the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of Education and other agencies to enhance financial literacy among postsecondary students through developing initiatives, programs and curricula that improve student awareness of short- and long-term costs associated with student loans and other debts and assisting students in navigating the financial aid process.

The following information is available to help educate our students and families and assist them in making informed decisions to reach their financial goals.

Financial Education


General Financial Literacy Resources

  • www.CashCourse.org - CashCourse.org serves as a great resource for students as it speaks to many of the common financial pitfalls they may be encountering during their college years.
  • www.mappingyourfuture.org - Mapping Your Future is a free resource for career, college, financial aid, and money management information. The goal is to help individuals achieve life-long success by empowering students, families, and schools with web-based information and services.
  • www.youcandealwithit.com - YouCanDealWithIt.com provides practical advice about paying for college and managing your debt.
  • www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA - NSLDS is a helpful resource in federal student loan management, as it allows students to view a summary of all of their federal student loans, as well as the contact information for the holder(s) and servicer(s) of their loans.
  • www.annualcreditreport.com - Students should request a free annual credit report. This will allow you to pull your credit report from all three credit reporting bureaus.
  • www.myfico.com - Get the details on your FICO score, understand positive and negative influences, how to monitor it and full access to customer support. View more information about FICO scores.
  • www.MyMoney.gov - This is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education.
  • Exploring Approaches to Financial Literacy Counseling

Loan Comparisons


Loan Management