CFL News Coverage Prior to 2012

Huffington Post

Financial Literacy for the College Student

By Mary Johnson

November 30, 2011

A college degree is and will continue to be a major key to economic security, social mobility and prosperity for millions of Americans. But as college costs continue to rise and family income remains stagnant at best, attaining that goal requires an increasingly significant investment of financial resources. College loans have provided a vital lifeline for most students and families, but affordability remains a top concern. It's time for a shared commitment to rebalance this equation.


Chicago Tribune

Student Debt Looms Large for a Generation

Average balance of nearly $30K reflects a new reality

By Jodi S. Cohen and Vikki Ortiz Healy

October 29, 2011

A college education used to be a ticket to a secure future.

Now, a generation of students and graduates is walking off campus with a collective $1 trillion in student loan debt and troubling career prospects. The daunting combination is forcing them to rethink their futures, postponing weddings, home purchases and vacations to make hefty monthly payments on loans that will follow them into middle age.


Stowe Reporter

This Week in Stowe Rotary Club

October 20, 2011

Thursday's speaker was John Pelletier of Stowe, who is director of the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College. The center is designed to promote and develop financial literacy skills in kindergarten through 12th grade students, college students, teachers and adults.


Inside Higher Ed

Why Occupy Colleges?

By John Pelletier

October 7, 2011

At noon Wednesday, thousands of college students from at least 75 colleges walked out of class as part of Occupy Colleges, which is the collegiate version of Occupy Wall Street. Students are angry and they want to show their support for the 99 percent of American citizens whom they feel are being ignored by our political leaders and fleeced by Wall Street. Given the Arab Spring and the unrest caused by the youth in these countries, is it surprising that America could be on the brink of a College Fall?

This editorial also appeared in:

VTDigger.org

Pelletier: Occupy Colleges protests are both an expression of anger and a call for help


USA Today

States Start to Require Courses in Financial Literacy

Starting this fall, Virginia high school students will need more than reading, writing and arithmetic to snag a diploma.

Published August 15, 2011

Incoming high school freshmen will be required to take a one-credit course outlining the ABCs of economics and personal finance.

... The effort extends beyond grades K-through-12. Starting last year, an eight-part course in personal finance became part of the four-year curriculum for Champlain College in Burlington, Vt. Students who don't complete a seminar on time lose their ability to schedule classes for the next semester, says John Pelletier, head of Champlain College's Center for Financial Literacy.


Vermont Public Radio (VPR)

Program Seeks To Raise Financial Literacy

Published June 20, 2011

Personal finance has become more complex, making it even more critical for people to understand how to manage their money. Monday on Vermont Edition, we look at financial literacy and an ambitious program at Champlain College that attempts to improve what Vermonters understand about saving and investing, credit and debt.


Vermont Public Radio (VPR)

Study Says High School Students Falling Behind In Financial Literacy

Published June 21, 2011

A survey of Vermont high schools finds that while some form of financial literacy is taught in many of them, the courses are elective and they vary in what's being taught.

The study was conducted by the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College.  It also shows many high school teachers don't believe students are learning what they need to know about managing finances.

VPR's Steve Zind reports.


Seven Days

Asset Management

Champlain College's new Center for Financial Literacy gets people talking about money

By Lauren Ober

Published April 6, 2011

Guess how much Vermont high school seniors know about personal finance. Virtually nothing, according to a 2008 survey of financial literacy conducted by the national financial education nonprofit Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.

...John Pelletier wants to change that...


Chicago Tribune

Saving Sooner the Better

Published March 18, 2011

By Carolyn Bigda, special to Tribune Newspapers

Learning how to make smart money choices when you're young can make all the difference to your financial well-being. With the economy still on shaky ground and worries about state pension cuts making headlines, that message may be all the more important.


Champlain College News & Notes blog

New Year's Resolutions

January 5, 2011

Champlain College came roaring out of the New Year's gate with several nice mentions and features in the media, including an interview with our new director of the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College - John Pelletier on WCAX.


New York Times

In College, Learning About Money

By RON LIEBER

Published: January 7, 2011

...An education is one of the best defenses against financial flimflam, but many students never learn the things that help. Only a handful of states require schools to teach basic personal finance, and it's often of the old-fashioned, balancing-the-checkbook variety. Also, it tends to come at a stage in life when students are years away from putting the knowledge to practical use.

So I was heartened to hear about Champlain College here, which recently started requiring all undergraduates to attend two sessions in financial literacy.

Visit the NYT Web site to continue reading


WCAX.com

Champlain College Opens Financial Literacy Program

By Bianca Slota

Burlington, Vermont - December 6, 2010

Champlain College in Burlington opened a new center Monday with the aim of educating Vermonters about their finances.

The college says the economic recession highlighted just how little most people understand their finances. The new Center for Financial Literacy will start with three main programs -- a training for teachers so they can educate students about savings and debt; training for students, including college kids; and a program that allows college students to access their credit score and find out how to protect it.