The key recommendations break down into the following three categories: 1) Engage Communities and Schools Youth job training and employment programs should integrate financial education.  Community hubs, such as libraries and community colleges, should be better deployed to connect financial capability resources to individuals and educators. Technology should be used to help teachers improve their competence and confidence in teaching students about finance. The US should participate in the 2015 PISA study of the financial knowledge of 15-year-olds. Private sector partnerships with state, tribal, and local governments should be encouraged.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) should be further simplified.
• Federal student loan repayment options should be more broadly communicated. 
• Governmental agencies should better coordinate efforts to help more students access all available resources to complete their post-secondary education.
• Interested students should be able to share their academic information with technological tools that can deliver meaningful and customized information about post-secondary options in a trusted, timely and relevant form

3) Improve Identity and Credit Protection, and Provide Pathways for Saving

• Identity theft and credit abuse among young people should be examined and combatted. 
• Child Savings Accounts and policies should be promoted as a means to increase the likelihood of college attainment.

Ted Beck reflects that, "Without a doubt, financial education helps people make better choices. Reflecting on a 10-year career in financial education I am confident that we are making headway. There are several excellent curricula available, more states have mandates in place, government is playing a positive role, and there is substantial research that validates the effectiveness of financial education."

In addition to 12 new on-the-street interviews with young people from around the country, On Your Own featured Q&As with two emerging adults in our "10 Minutes With..." series.

10 Minutes With... A Conservative Spender

As the oldest of five growing up on a family farm in Kentucky, Celeste learned that you didn't buy anything you couldn't pay for. She is now very savings oriented and has set up a long-term plan for her young family.

10 Minutes With... A Sensible Virtuoso

A violinist since age 6, Kayvon's first meaningful purchase was a piece of sheet music. Now attending Dartmouth, Kayvon is pondering his future career path.