iGrad is a free, online, award-winning financial literacy tool.
Belmont University today announced the implementation of iGrad, an award-winning, financial wellness platform that helps students improve their money management skills and personal finances.
iGrad is another example of Belmont’s intentional effort to ensure student financial wellness — a key pillar of the WELL Core graduation requirement.
“Belmont aims to provide students with the tools and support needed for financial success,” Executive Director of Health and Wellness Adam Pace said. “We want to empower our students by giving them access to knowledge that will help them build a strong foundation for their financial futures.”
iGrad offers articles, videos, calculators, games and modules within its suite of tools, covering a range of topics including budgeting, saving and investing, career development and more. The purchase of iGrad was made possible by a gift to the Thomas W. Beasley Center for Free Enterprise in support of the financial initiatives of the Center and the University. The platform is available at no additional cost to students.
To start, students must create an account and complete a Financial Wellness Checkup which iGrad uses to generate personalized recommendations for content, tools and courses that are tailored to a user’s specific financial needs and goals. Students can develop a student loan repayment plan to make college debt manageable. A behavioral assessment that identifies a student’s money personality type will help them understand the “why” behind their spending habits and patterns. Outside of the recommended options, students also have access to a full catalog of resources geared to make them successful when managing finances.
In a commitment to the whole-person formation of students, Belmont provides ample opportunity to learn and develop skills that position individuals for success in the future. Last week, nearly 450 students attended a Wellness Fair on campus where they were able to explore the many wellness resources that are available to them as students, including financial wellness. The vast array of education and tools within the iGrad platform help take the fear out of finances, benefiting students’ lifelong financial wellness.
“Pursuing financial stewardship empowers individuals to achieve their dreams,” said Howard Cochran, Director of the Beasley Center and Professor of Economics & Finance. “Financial stewardship includes building a budget, being frugal, living within your means, understanding taxes, managing debt, assessing the need for insurance, planning for retirement and building wealth that allows you to provide for your needs while having the capacity to be generous. The iGrad platform will help students develop this financial perspective.”