Aim of the project:

FAT POCKETS is a UNCFSP research and design project made possible by the generous support of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.  The purpose of FAT POCKETS is to design a financial and investor education program for students on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  This is a 24-month project started in Fall 2008 and scheduled to be completed in Fall 2011.

Eligibility: 

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 

Project Components: 

• Phase One:  Student and stakeholder (e.g., faculty, staff) focus group meetings were held on three HBCU campuses:  Coppin State University, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia.  Findings from focus group data were used to create a pilot personal finance study for HBCU students.

• Phase Two:  The HBCU personal finance study was piloted at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), and focus groups were held at UMES.  Findings of focus group data were used to revise the personal finance study for HBCU students.

• Phase Three:  The HBCU personal finance survey will be deployed to students on 23 HBCU campuses.  Total projected sample size: 2300 HBCU students ages 18-25.  In addition to the survey, teams of students from three HBCUs will review personal finance education products in order to identify the product characteristics most likely to support students' lifelong financial well-being.

• Phase Four:  Data from the previous three phases will be used to develop a personal finance education program for HBCU students ages 18-2