Delta State University and the Center for Community and Economic Development recently announced the successful completion of the asset-building program Delta Dollars.
Delta Dollars is an 8:1 matched individual development account program that focuses on financial literacy and post-secondary education. Since the spring of 2015, 19 participants have utilized Delta Dollars to accumulate a combined savings total of $9,730 — money students use to build financial assets needed to pursue their college education. A total of $66,641.55 has been disbursed for their post-secondary expenses at Delta State.
“Without the funding provided by this program, I would not have been able to graduate this semester,” said student Jammie Marquez. “I have been beset by difficulties that have required me to take extra classes. Knowing that I would be able to rely on my savings and funding from Delta Dollars made me confident that I could overcome those difficulties and add the courses without worrying about the added cost.”
Nursing student Gabrielle Windless shared the same appreciation for Delta Dollars.
“This is a great program,” she said. “I was able to stay on track towards graduation by attending summer school with the funds. I learned a lot from the self-paced financial literacy modules.”
A grant from Assets for Independence, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services, funds approximately 50 percent of program costs. The remaining half is funded through non-federal sources. Other partners and contributors included Delta State University Foundation and Renasant Bank.
Learn more about the program and at https://www.deltastate.edu/academics/graduate-and-continuing-studies/center-for-community-economic-development/developing-personal-weath-program-dpw.
