As student loan debt continues to rise, financial literacy among young adults who attend post-secondary education is becoming more and more imperative. While many colleges and universities acknowledge the significance of this issue, most do little to ensure that students understand the investment they are making or the impact borrowing will have on their future. This article explores a model for incorporating financial responsibility into first-year curriculum at a large research-intensive university. Information and discussion surrounding this topic was incorporated into a first-year seminar course in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University. The curriculum of this course carefully portrayed accurate data and other pertinent financial information in a manner that was age-and-experience appropriate and which could resonate with even young adults who, by and large, had little knowledge or familiarity with personal finance. Data collected through analysis of written reflections throughout the course and an end-of-course assessment indicated an overwhelming attentiveness and appreciation of learning about this topic.

student loan debt, teaching of financial responsibility, first-year seminar