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==Spend, Save, Share Financial Education Program Alternatives Federal Credit Union ==

About Spend, Save, Share:
The Spend Save Share financial education program was developed out of desire to help low-income students develop greater confidence and money management skills. The program is designed to empowers students to make smart spending, saving, and sharing decision primarily through hands-on entrepreneurial activity and access to student credit union savings program. It is primarily a student driven curriculum and is specifically tailored to be income-sensitive.

About Alternatives Federal Credit Union and the Student Credit Union Program:
Alternatives Federal Credit Union is a Community Development Financial Institution, dedicated to building wealth and creating economic opportunity for underserved people and communities.

To build wealth and create economic opportunity for underserved people and communities.
 * Our Mission:**

To increase our impact and become the financial hub of a more prosperous community, with a strong local and national reputation for exceptional member service, competitive deposit and loan products, high employee morale and innovative outreach and education programs. We will be the "head and heart" credit union, combining intelligent business practices with an unwavering commitment to our mission, building on our tradition of innovation in solving pressing local economic concerns.  Since 1990, [|Alternatives Student Credit Union](SCU) has provided financial education, financial services and the opportunity for youth (under 19) to manage their own money.  Financial education begins with a savings habit. Our programs encourage students to make deposits every week no matter how small. We find that when students build their own savings they start to show interest in learning more about money. //“In a world where it is assumed that young people would rather rob a bank than work in one, Alternatives Credit Union is 'Alternative' in everything, especially in how they're willing to act toward teens." - SCU Volunteer//  In a study of college students, economics professor Angela Lyons of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found one striking similarity among those who had good financial skills: Nearly all said their parents had gotten them into the habit of saving as young children, suggesting saving is a behavior that comes from experience, not knowledge. //“I love saving every Wednesday because it is good to have money when you need it. I think that everyone should save because then they could have money for things they want or need.” - elementary student, age 8 // Student Credit Union benefits include:
 * Our Vision:**
 * A higher dividend rate than our regular savings accounts.
 * Checking accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fees (A co-signer is necessary if the student is under 18).
 * An Alternatives Visa Debit Card is available if the student has a checking account.
 * An Alternatives ATIRAcredit card is available by application with a qualified co-signer. Another way to build a positive credit history.
 * An Individual Development Account (IDA) is a matched savings plan for funding education (family must meet income requirements).

Accounts can be opened at any of our school branches or at Alternatives Credit Union. The membership fee is $2.00 and a $1.00 initial deposit is required. For students whose parent or guardian is already a member of Alternatives, membership is FREE. <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">//<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." - Benjamin Franklin //