An Unlikely Recruiting and Retention Tool: Financial Education

We currently live in an era where universities report higher dropout rates due to debt burdens than from academic failure (Prah 2006; United College Marketing Service 2006). Higher education institutions routinely provide tutoring and other support services for students with academic concerns; however, most universities are not adequately addressing the alarming levels of student credit card debt. Universities have an underutilized opportunity to provide a credit education course for incoming students. The class is a winning proposition for students, parents, and universities. Lending institutions also stand to benefit from decreased loan default and bankruptcy rates