Hands-On Learning to Build Financial Habits: Research and Resources on Child Savings - A Guide for Practitioners

Oct 15, 2026

Hands-On Learning to Build Financial Habits: Research and Resources on Child Savings compiles publicly available websites, reports, research papers, and readings on children’s savings programs. It supports practitioners with examples and key policy considerations for designing Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs), including participation, intended uses, and account features. The summary highlights links between child access to savings and positive outcomes such as academic performance, college entry, and college completion, while noting resources are not endorsed by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Websites

CFED

San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment

University of Kansas Assets and Education Initiative

Reports, Research Papers and other Readings

Children’s Savings Accounts Research, Practice, and Implications for Policy Design (New America Foundation, 2014)

Building Expectations, Delivering Results (Assets and Education Initiative, 2013)

Investing in Children: Child Development Accounts as an Early Childhood Intervention (New America Foundation and University of Kansas, 2014)

Hands-On Learning to Build Financial Habits: Research and Resources on Child Savings To accompany Hands-On Learning to Build Financial Habits: Federal Resources to Encourage School-Based and Youth Savings Programs, this document is intended to provide information on non-governmental research and resources that may be useful to financial institutions, state, local, or tribal government officials, teachers and school leaders, and others interested in establishing such a program. This document includes a description publicly available websites, reports, research papers, and other readings on child savings that may help practitioners learn about best practices and techniques. Please note that these resources have not been supported or endorsed by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) and may not be an exhaustive list of resources on this topic. For additional research and resources, visit [www.mymoney.gov](www.mymoney.gov) and the FLEC Research [and Data Clearinghouse on](and Data Clearinghouse on www.mymoney.gov)[ ](and Data Clearinghouse on www.mymoney.gov)[www.mymoney.gov](and Data Clearinghouse on www.mymoney.gov). Websites 􀁸 CFED o Children’s Savings 101: [http://cfed.org/programs/csa/childrens_savings_101/](http://cfed.org/programs/csa/childrens_savings_101/) o Children’s Savings Directory: [http://cfed.org/programs/csa/directory/](http://cfed.org/programs/csa/directory/) 􀁸 San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment: [http://sfofe.org/programs/k-to-c](http://sfofe.org/programs/k-to-c) 􀁸 University of Kansas Assets and Education Initiative: [http://save4ed.com/](http://save4ed.com/) Reports, Research Papers and other Readings ● Reid Cramer, Rachel Black, Justin King. 2014. Children's Savings Accounts ResearchPractice, and Implications for Policy Design. New America Foundation. [http://assets.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/CSAEvidenceImplications](http://assets.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/CSAEvidenceImplications)[ ](http://assets.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/CSAEvidenceImplications)[FINAL6_14.pd](FINAL6_14.pdf)[f](FINAL6_14.pdf) Summary: This paper reviews the research foundations of Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs), which may be of importance to policymakers and advocates. Having access to savings generally – and particularly in the child’s name-are associated with a wide range of positive outcomes, including better academic performance, higher rates of college entry, and higher rates of college completion. A national collective platform forchildren’s savings could provide a structure to help families grow the savings that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and improve their prospects for economic mobility in addition to supporting a culture of savings, personal responsibility, and 1 increased ownership and investment. A short description of the legislative history of CSA proposals and some key initiatives at the national, state, and municipal levels are discussed. Key policy considerations to be addressed include participation, intended uses, and account features. Examples of each consideration are explored and critically evaluated. ● Assets and Education Initiative. 2013. Building Expectations, Delivering Results: AssetBased Financial Aid and the Future of Higher Education. In W. Elliott (Ed.) . Biannual report on the assets and education field. Lawrence, KS: Assets and Education Initiative (AEDI) . [http://save4ed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Full-Report.pdf](http://save4ed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Full-Report.pdf) [Summary: Children](Summary: Children)’[s Savings Accounts](s Savings Accounts) ([CSAs](CSAs)) represent acknowledgement of children’s savings as a strategy for improving children’s well-being. CSAs could also be focused on the purpose of funding higher education. Forty percent of voters surveyed indicated that making education more affordable should be a top

FAQs

What is the purpose of this document on child savings?

It provides non-governmental research and resources that may help practitioners learn best practices and techniques for establishing child savings programs.

Which policy design aspects are highlighted for Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs)?

Key considerations include participation, intended uses, and account features, with examples evaluated critically.

Does the document imply endorsement by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC)?

No. The resources included are not supported or endorsed by FLEC and are not presented as an exhaustive list.

Oct 15, 2026

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