|
FAQs, Get Smart About Credit
ABA Education Foundation
- What is Get Smart About Credit Day?
- Why should I participate?
- Do I have to participate on October 15?
- What qualifies as a Get Smart About Credit lesson?
- What teaching materials are available?
- Do I have to use a Get Smart About Credit Resource Kit?
- I purchased a GSAC resource kit, am I registered for GSAC 2009
- What free resources does the ABA Education Foundation offer?
- How can I get started?
- Is there any banker training for Get Smart About Credit?
- Am I responsible for contacting a school?
- How will my bank be recognized?
- What if I still have questions?
1. What is Get Smart About Credit Day?
Get Smart About Credit Day is an annual event held in October where bankers visit local classrooms to share with students the "credit facts of life." October 15 is the date of this year's event, the seventh annual. Since it was started by the ABA Education Foundation in 2003 more than 11,000 bankers have reached some 445,000 young people. See pictures from last year's event.
Top
2. Why should I participate?
Changes in the economy and new legislation will likely influence the mechanics of obtaining credit. For young people having credit won't just be new, it will be new and different. As bankers you'll have the opportunity to use the Get Smart Credit program to help young people navigate this new responsibility. List of participating banks.
Top
3. Do I have to participate on October 15?
No. Banker participation is not limited to October 15. Bankers can give a Get Smart About Credit lesson anytime in October.
Top
4. What qualifies as a Get Smart About Credit lesson?
Get Smart About Credit lessons must be taught by a financial services professional and cover credit basics. Bankers can focus on topics such as, credit worthiness, the cost of credit cards, how to read a credit report and preventing identity theft.
Top
5. What teaching materials are available?
To make teaching credit easier for bankers and fun for students the foundation offers the Get Smart About Credit Resource Kit. The kit features visual materials including interactive budgeting worksheets, case studies on PowerPoint that correspond with written lessons and a flash presentation that introduces credit. The kit's lessons meet more than 60 nationally recognized curriculum standards and correspond with the Jump$tart Coalition's Personal Finance Standards.
Top
6. Do I have to use a Get Smart About Credit Resource Kit?
No, you do not have to use the Get Smart About Credit Resource Kit to participate. Your lesson does need to be credit-focused. When considering another curriculum, look for material that is aligned with academic standards to ensure added value for teachers. Learn more about the GSAC Resource Kit.
Top
7. I purchased a GSAC resource kit, am I registered for GSAC 2009?
No. Buying a Get Smart About Credit resource kit does not automatically register you for the 2009 Get Smart About Credit Campaign. Click here to register.
Top
8. What free resources does the ABA Education Foundation offer?
- The ABA Education Foundation has a host of free resources available to bankers.
Visit the products page online for a budgeting worksheet, the Money Talks newsletter series and more.
- When you register your GSAC participation online you'll get access to free, downloadable resources. These tools include a planning checklist, a sample email to recruit colleagues, a sample invitation letter to school administrators, participation certificates, a news release template and promotional posters and flyers.
Top
9 . How can I get started?
Start by registering using the foundation's online registration. Once you've registered, you'll get access to online resources with step-by-step directions to plan a successful event. Register for Get Smart About Credit.
Top
10. Is there any banker training for Get Smart About Credit?
The foundation has an archived Webinar with tips on using the Get Smart About Credit Day Resource Kits, planning an event, sharing best practices and positioning the event for Community Reinvestment Act credit.
Webinar
Top
11. Am I responsible for contacting a school?
Yes. Many first-time participants choose to start with a school where they already know a teacher or have a child enrolled. Or, your bank may participate in an adopt-a-school program.
Top
12. How will my bank be recognized?
Registered banks that participate will be included in the Get Smart About Credit Honor Roll -- a list of participating banks -- published in the ABA's Community Banker magazine.
In addition, the ABA Education Foundation will maintain an online list of banks participating in Get Smart About Credit 2009. We will promote this list with media, policymakers and members of Congress to highlight your commitment to the communities you serve.
Top
13. What if I still have questions?
If you still have questions, you can sign-up for a free Webinar, send an e-mail to edufoun@aba.com or call 1-800-BANKERS.
Top
Question? Contact the ABA Education Foundation.
| 
