Originally published April 7 2005
Education about credit cards may help high school students avoid debt later in life
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Power of Plastic is a program offered to high school seniors that is meant to help them be responsible as they begin to make decisions about credit cards. The program is an hour-long Powerpoint presentation that teaches kids how to understand terms and conditions when applying for a card, how to get a low interest rate credit card, and how to avoid getting into debt.
For the last four years, The College Planning Center in West Des Moines has been offering a program to high schools around Iowa called "The Power of Plastic."
This program is an educational powerpoint presentation to high school seniors to help them make responsible decisions concerning credit cards.
"We would like to be able to offer the program every semester to all the high schools," Loven said.
"The Power of Plastic" is about an hour presentation explaining credit card information to the students, including but not limited to, how to understand terms and conditions, never to use a credit card in an ATM and why, how to shop around for a low interest credit card if they feel they need one and how to avoid getting too far in debt.
"We also show a video that has proven very effective in getting the attention of the kids as to how serious credit card debt can be," Loven said.
"It is a clip from 60 Minutes showing an interview with two mothers whose college students committed suicide due to being in way over their heads."
Drastic though this may seem in such a presentation, it has helped students realize the immensity of debt that can happen to them and is extremely effective, according to Loven.
"I have heard students in the hallways talking about having free money due to getting credit cards," said Trent Taylor, Counselor at the East Marshall High School.
According to Loven, students need to be taught before reaching college how to manage their money as many do not complete college due to the need for a full time job to pay all of their bills and get out of debt.
The College Planning Center is a not-for-profit organization that offers, not only "The Power of Plastic" program, but also many other options for parents and students in planning a college education.
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