Over 200 Schools Have Received Nearly $1.5 Million in Grants So Far
in 2015
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 16, 2015--
In celebration of National
Financial Literacy Month, Pathway to Financial Success has awarded
over 200 financial education grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to
public high schools across the country so far this year. The latest
round of grant recipients includes Davenport Community School District
in Iowa and Sussex Central High School in Georgetown, Delaware; and will
be used to cover the cost of implementing financial education
curriculum, and technology.
Discover
Financial Services is committed to helping people spend smarter,
manage debt better, and save more so that they can achieve a brighter
financial future. As an extension to the company’s mission, Discover
developed Pathway
to Financial Success, a five-year, commitment to bring financial
education curriculum into public high schools across the country.
Now in its fourth year, Pathway to Financial Success is continuing to
make a positive impact for more than 1,000 schools and districts,
awarding over $9 million in grant money. As a result of these grants,
financial literacy test scores improved an average of 24 percent –
equivalent to two letter grades – at many of these schools. In addition,
there is promising research from the Center for Financial Security at
the University of Wisconsin that indicates a direct tie between personal
finance classes in high school and higher credit scores as young adults.
“Ultimately, we’d like to see financial literacy taught in every U.S.
high school,” said David Nelms, chairman and chief executive officer of
Discover. “Young adults who are financially literate manage their money
better, which helps prepare them for a brighter financial future.”
“In this day and age, financial education is vital to the success of our
future adults,” said Eileen McAnulla, a social studies teacher at Sussex
Central High School who applied for and received Discover’s grant. “Many
of our students come from homes that are financially stressed. The most
effective way to turn that trend around is to teach them the necessary
skills to successfully navigate the financial systems and make the most
of their personal resources."
Pathway to Financial Success grants have reached more than a half
million students giving them the financial
education tools and resources they need to spend smarter, manage
debt better, and save more so that they can achieve a brighter financial
future.
To learn more about the program, please visit Pathwaytofinancialsuccess.org.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America’s cash rewards pioneer, and offers home
loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans,
checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market
accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover
Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one
of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club
International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than
185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.
Source: Discover Financial Services
Discover Financial Services
Matthew Towson, 224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com