Press Release: FREE Members Earn NEFE Certification

Naperville, IL (March 24, 2011) – Financial Research and Education through Experience (FREE), announced today the names of University of St. Francis students and alumnus who have received formal certification from the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) for the High School Financial Planning Program®. They are, Audrey Musiimenta, Jason Campbell, Samantha Cepl, Edon Shaqiri, Melissa McGee, Ericka Williamson, Timothy Plett, Nicholas Purchase, Andrew Johnson and Mubashir Olaoye.

The program provides USF students the opportunity to impart practical financial knowledge to a younger audience in the Joliet area community. “Financial planning is important for students because it gives them tools they need in order to be successful throughout their careers. Being organized with you finances can help these young adults reach their goals at a much faster rate,” said Samantha Cepl, Organizational Director of FREE.

 FREE will continue hosting other campus wide initiatives to advance the organization’s goal of expanding financial literacy throughout the campus and also the community. “We believe the best investment for the future is in education. One of our missions is to reach out to the community and the NEFE certification is one component of this effort,” said Edon Shaqiri, President of FREE.

About the National Endowment for Financial Education

The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) is the only private, nonprofit, national foundation wholly dedicated to improving the financial well-being of all Americans. 

Mission

The mission of the National Endowment for Financial Education is to help individual Americans acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to take control of their financial destiny. NEFE’s mission is grounded in the belief that regardless of background or income level, financially informed individuals are better able to:

• Take control of their circumstances, 
• Improve their quality of life, and 
• Ensure a stable future for themselves and their families.

Edon Shaqiri

FREE President

edonshaqiri@stfrancis.edu