PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick Kicks off Financial Literacy Month with New Fin Lit Portal
Jefferson City, MO –Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick
today kicked off Financial Literacy Month by announcing a new search engine to
help Missouri students pursuing higher education find scholarship opportunities
more easily. This tool is available on a newly reorganized and updated Financial Literacy Portal. “It is important to develop good
financial habits—and the new Financial Literacy Portal can help Missourians at
all stages learn, grow, and achieve their goals,” Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “A significant focus of the portal is
helping Missouri students seeking higher education avoid the lingering
financial impact of student debt. Our new Show Me the Money Scholarship Search
Engine will help students find scholarship opportunities and hopefully help set
them off on the path to higher education and brighter financial future.” The Show Me the Money Scholarship Search Engine connects Missouri
students with scholarship and grant opportunities tailored to their skills. The
Treasurer partnered with Sallie Mae, a nationwide consumer banking institution
specializing in private student loans, to offer more than 6 million
scholarships worth over $30 billion in one place. “Financial literacy provides
students with a strong foundation of knowledge and confidence, helping them
making informed decisions about their future,” Laura Steinbeck, Assistant Region Head, Sallie Mae, said. “Those
decisions include how to plan and pay for higher education, one of the first
major investments for many students. Providing critical education and
information through free programs, like the Show Me the Money Scholarship
Search Engine, empowers students to make responsible choices.” The updated Financial Literacy
Portal has been reorganized to help visitors find useful information related to
their individual financial goals. Visitors can learn about how to plan for
education costs and understand student loans, as well as topics like credit,
budgeting, and retirement. There are also lessons and games for children
including Flat Fitzpatrick, a fun coloring activity introduced in 2020. In partnership with Sallie Mae
and the MOST 529 team, Treasurer Fitzpatrick will host a webinar focused on
providing information about saving for college and finding scholarship
opportunities. The free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, April 7 at
6 p.m. Those who wish to participate can register here. The Treasurer’s Office
administers two savings and investment program: MOST, Missouri’s 529 Education
Plan, and MO ABLE, a savings plan for Missourians with disabilities. More
information can be found at https://www.missourimost.org/
and https://www.moable.com/. Financial Literacy Month raises
awareness about improving financial literacy and promotes financial well-being
for all consumers. The Financial Literacy Portal
can be accessed here: https://treasurer.mo.gov/financial-literacy/.
The Show Me the Money Scholarship Search Engine can be accessed here: https://treasurer.mo.gov/financial-literacy/ScholarGrants. ### Follow the Treasurer’s Office on Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram @motreasurer.