IU, Pete The Planner Partner on Financial Literacy

The Indiana University Office of Financial Literacy is partnering with financial planner Peter Dunn, also known as Pete the Planner, to develop a comprehensive financial wellness platform for students. MoneySmarts U will provide financial information for students before, during and after college.

The platform is based off IU’s MoneySmarts program, which the university says has reduced student loan debt at IU by almost $100 million. The MoneySmarts U platform will include 21 instructional modules, produced over the next three years, beginning this summer. 

Each module will last 45 to 60 minutes and include videos and interactive exercises, among other features.

"Even the savviest college students can use some guidance when it comes to finances. This program will help students learn about and face financial challenges head-on. This is the information people always say they wished they had learned in college," said Dunn. "One-third of 18- to 34-year-olds who are not in school live with their parents. Our goal is to help students avoid excessive debt and be smart with important decisions."

Phil Schuman, director for financial literacy at IU, calls the effort "groundbreaking" due to the fact that the financial information is being provided directly from the university. He says it takes a holistic approach to financial know-how for students.

You can learn more about the MoneySmarts U platform in the video below: