TD Charitable Foundation supports financial literacy education through $19,500 grant to Norwich University

The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, has awarded Norwich University a $19,500 grant to initiate a program to teach financial literacy to those in need.
‘ Financial Literacy in our Schools and Communities: A Service-Learning Model in Personal Financial Management’ is a program created by Norwich’ s Center for Civic Engagement. Through the Center, selected Norwich students will learn the core concepts of money management and sound financial practices. They will then be trained in how to deliver that knowledge to the community through age-appropriate instruction in primary through secondary schools, group and one-on-one lessons to low- to- moderate income families in the community, and teaching their fellow students on campus.
Some students will be trained in tax return preparation and will offer direct services to the community with assistance in filing income tax returns, both online and on paper.
The skills the Norwich student trainers will teach include budgeting, balancing a checkbook, creating savings and spending plans, paying down debt, how to build and maintain a financially sound credit score, and even how to plan for retirement.
‘ By training our university students in the core concepts, and on how to deliver this information at the elementary through high school levels, the program harnesses one of the best methods of learning ‘ to teach!’ said Nicole DiDomenico, director of the Center for Civic Engagement. ‘ And by engaging audiences as young as five, they will be equipping young people with this basic knowledge long before they ever see a credit card application.’
‘ This adds one more great opportunity for our students to volunteer their time and services,’ said President Richard Schneider.
These ‘ train the trainer’ sessions are made possible in partnership with the Central Vermont Community Action Council and with curriculum development assistance provided by the UVM Extension 4-H program. Advertising of the public instruction offered by the trained facilitators will be provided in partnership with the Green Mountain United Way of Central Vermont.
Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates residential students, leading both military and civilian lifestyles, and working adults across the globe. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and master’ s degrees, and graduate certificates. Founded in 1819 by U.S. Army Capt. Alden Partridge, Norwich is the oldest private military college in the country and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu