Financial Capability

We seek to increase the financial capability of Head Start families in the St. Louis metropolitan area through financial education. 

During the 2018 tax season, Washington University partnered with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Prosperity Now on an initiative to standardize and enhance the data collection efforts at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. These sites provide free tax filing services to low- and moderate-income tax filers, and often provide other services (such as bank account opening, financial coaching, and savings programs) in conjunction with tax filing.

We are building a body of evidence in financial capability, defined as both the knowledge to make optimal financial decisions and access to appropriate and beneficial financial services. 

The Financial Capability & Asset Building in Africa (FCAB Africa) initiative aims to increase financial capability and asset holding among socially and financially marginalized populations in Africa. By improving financial stability and security in these populations, the initiative seeks to strengthen their social and economic well-being.

 

We address the gap in professional FCAB training of social workers and other human service practitioners who serve low- and moderate-income households.

We research how financial education and saving affect student's financial literacy, academic engagement and plans for college. 

We assess REAP and explore the role of financial and economic factors in domestic violence for low-income battered women in the St. Louis region.