SCCU Sponsors Free Financial Literacy Program for Schools

Originally posted on www.superiortelegram.com

“Banzai is a web-based financial literacy program. Kids have their own bank accounts, and they work through assignments that are based on real life,” Morgan Vandagriff, co-founder of Banzai, said. “But because Superior Choice Credit Union is sponsoring it, local schools get it for free.

“More than ever, it’s important that kids develop sound financial skills to prepare them for the real world,” Vandagriff said.

Banzai is an interactive, online program that aligns with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. It has become the largest program of its kind, servicing more than 40,000 teachers and available in all 50 states.

SCCU has offered time, money, industry experience and a variety of credit union resources to help local schools teach personal finance in the classroom. Students using the program are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to pay bills and balance a budget. Students must learn to manage unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges and overdraft fees.

The educational program also introduces students to auto loans, bank statements, entertainment costs, savings and more.

Schools in the Superior, Maple and Ashland school districts, as well as Cathedral School, Maranatha Academy, Our Lady of the Lake and Mellen High School, are eligible to receive the free curriculum through SCCU.

Teachers interested in using the Banzai program can visit superiorchoice.teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI.