Montclair State University Launches iGrad Student Financial Literacy Platform

Montclair State University has partnered with financial literacy platform iGrad to provide students, faculty and staff with customized, interactive online and mobile student financial wellness services.

Community members will have access to comprehensive information on everything from building and maintaining good credit, budgeting and money management to student loan/debt management and loan calculators.

Montclair’s iGrad partnership is its first University-wide financial literacy initiative, and will be available to students, faculty and staff. It is the institution’s first step in building a comprehensive financial literacy program, and iGrad’s accessible, user-friendly tools will help ensure the financial wellness of all Red Hawks.

“Financial literacy is a national conversation, and making sure our community members have a tool that they can use, at their own pace, to increase their knowledge and help make more informed financial decisions is of paramount importance,” said Montclair Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “Using the iGrad tool at Montclair State University will also help students develop skills that will not only help them navigate their time in college, but will also serve them well as they begin their careers after graduation.”

Research shows that financial literacy programs can decrease financial stress, improve academic performance, and teach students how to manage their finances for a lifetime.

Based on artificial intelligence and proprietary algorithms, iGrad personalizes financial information for each community member’s situation and needs. Features on the platform include:

• Tools, quizzes, videos, articles and a library of multimedia content.
• A student loan tracking tool which aggregates student loan balances and
  estimates monthly payments, helping to prepare students for these payments
  after graduation.
• Interactive educational content on retirement and mortgages.

“Students, colleges and universities are facing tremendous financial challenges that impact enrollment, graduation rates and the level of student loan debt, which is already the second-largest category of debt in the country,” said iGrad Vice President of Business Development Donna Miller.

“Montclair State has prioritized student financial literacy and we are thrilled to be a key part of their efforts.”

For more information and to access iGrad at Montclair State University, visit montclair.igrad.com.