Publication Date
9-11-2009
Summary
This paper explores young children's perceptions and expectations about attending college, and the potential influence of a savings program on shaping children's perceptions about paying for college. As part of a four-year study of a school-based college savings program called “I Can Save”, this paper uses qualitative evidence from interviews conducted in second and fourth grades with a diverse group of 51 children. Findings suggest that most of the children in the study have a general understanding of college and have begun a process of considering higher education. Further, children in “I Can Save” are more likely than a comparison group of children to perceive that savings is a way to help pay for college.
Document Type
Working Paper
Category
Financial Inclusion
Subarea
Asset Building
Original Citation
Elliott, W., III, Sherraden, M. S., Johnson, L., & Guo, B. (2009). Young children's perceptions of college and saving: Potential role of Child Development Accounts (CSD Working Paper No. 09-53). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Project
I Can Save
Keywords
academic expectation, children, college savings, child development account, school-based saving programs, youth, CDA Symposium
Recommended Citation
Elliott, W., III, Sherraden, M. S., Johnson, L., & Guo, B. (2009). Young children's perceptions of college and saving: Potential role of Child Development Accounts (CSD Working Paper No. 09-53). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7QN6693
Notes
Subsequent publication: Elliott, W., III, Sherraden, M., Johnson, L., & Guo, B. (2010). Young children's perceptions of college and saving: Potential role of Child Development Accounts. Children & Youth Services Review, 32(11), 1577–1584. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.03.018