iGrad, a San Diego-based financial technology company, has recently announced its partnership with the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) to offer its customized online and mobile student financial wellness platform to the university’s undergraduate students. UNC, located in Greeley, Colo., has a diverse student body with 40 percent of undergraduates being the first in their families to attend college.
Stephanie Torrez, UNC’s assistant vice president of Student Success, emphasized the importance of providing a financial literacy platform that can benefit students, regardless of their age, life stage, or socio-economic background. The partnership with iGrad aims to address the financial challenges facing college students, such as the impact on enrollment, retention, and the burden of student loan debt.
Research has shown that financial literacy programs can significantly reduce financial stress, improve academic performance, and equip students with essential financial management skills for a lifetime. The initiative to promote financial literacy comes at a time when college enrollment and degree-achievement rates have declined, especially among students from low-income or high-poverty high schools.
iGrad’s platform at UNC features comprehensive, personalized information on credit building, budgeting, money management, student loan/debt management, and loan calculators. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence and proprietary algorithms to tailor financial information to each student’s unique situation and needs.
In addition to providing a wide range of tools, quizzes, videos, and articles, iGrad offers a student loan tracking tool that aggregates student loan balances and estimates monthly payments, preparing students for post-graduation financial obligations. The personalized interactive content is specific to each user’s financial situation, age, and life stage, ensuring that students receive information relevant to their individual circumstances.
iGrad’s financial wellness solutions have been widely adopted by over 600 public and private colleges and universities, including institutions such as San Jose State University, UC Berkeley, New York University, and Davidson College. With a track record of impacting the financial health and security of students, iGrad has garnered industry recognition, including the 2020 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Adults’ Education Program of the Year award and the 2022 Eddy Award for Financial Wellness by Pensions & Investments.
The collaboration between iGrad and UNC reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the financial literacy and well-being of college students. As colleges and universities prioritize the holistic development of their student populations, initiatives like the iGrad partnership play a crucial role in equipping students with essential financial skills for the future. For more information about iGrad’s financial wellness platform, visit https://www.igradfinancialwellness.com.
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