A free financial planning course is being offered by the University of Illinois in collaboration with the Center for Financial Planning, the center announced Thursday.
The course is designed to prepare students to handle their own finances and is an introduction to a career in financial planning. The four-week course is now open for registration. It will cover such topics as budgeting and cash flow, borrowing and credit, investing and risk management.
“Financial Planning for Young Adults is for people [who want] to learn more about how financial planning can impact their lives in a positive way. It is also for people who are interested in the field of financial planning and maybe even thinking about becoming a CFP professional,” said Nicholas Paulson, an associate professor of agricultural economics at the university.
“This course will not only help participants better plan for the future, but it is a great introduction to a career in financial planning as we seek to attract and develop the next generation of financial planners,” says Charles Chaffin, director of academic programs and initiatives at the CFP Board.
The course can be audited for free. For a $49 fee, students can have their work graded and will receive a certificate upon completion.
The course was developed by the Center for Financial Planning (which is affiliated with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards) and the university’s Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, as well as the University of Illinois Extension.