Welcome to APLUS!

College marks the beginning of a developmental period characterized by several life-changing experiences. It’s a time for making new friends and developing the social connections essential to a successful undergraduate experience. Mounting academic demands, in an atmosphere of independence and flexibility, challenge many first-year students.

While in college, students are making financial decisions and establishing financial behaviors that will follow them into their adult lives. Acquiring good financial management skills is important during this life transition. The APLUS project is designed to learn more about how young people develop financial competency.

Arizona Pathways to Life success for University Students (APLUS), a landmark longitudinal research project, examines the relationship of students’ financial attitudes and behaviors to their overall well-being. The following describe the various waves completed/scheduled within the study:

Wave 1 Spring 2008 In the first wave of data collected, more than 1/3 of the 2007 first year students provided their perspectives on:
  • How they are faring in college – academically, socially, and financially;
  • How they manage their time and money;
Their academic aspirations - for college and after they graduate.
Interim Study 1  Spring 2009 This follow-up study examined the impact of the recent economic crisis on the finances and well-being of a subsample of the APLUS students.
Interim Study 2  Fall 2009 In this study we will examine the preferences and decision making among a sub-sample of APLUS students regarding choices that carry financial stakes.
Wave 2                Fall 2010 Wave 2 will focus on the impact of how students attitudes and behaviors change during the college years.

ALUS News and Events
APLUS News – APLUS covered by the Wall Street Journal – read story

APLUS News - APLUS featured in the Chronicle of Higher Education - read story

APLUS News - Teaching Kids About Money the Hard Way, APLUS article in the Wall Street Journal. Read more.

APLUS News - Dr. Joyce Serido, Research Scientist, webinar on the APLUS project, details here. Watch the archived presentation: aplus.arizona.edu/webinar
View the presentation (with notes, no audio): aplus.arizona.edu/webinar/webinar_notes/

APLUS News - Download a copy of the APLUS Final Report and view the study findings.

APLUS News - Financial Train Wrecks: Study Finds Parents May Be Young People’s Top Defense How Young Adults Really Manage and Think About Their Money - Press Release

 

 

This study has been funded by the National Endowment for Financial Education in
partnership with the Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research University of Arizona