Financial literacy resources
Assistance with MAX
Sign up for MAX–your free, personal finance program specifically designed for law school students and complete your class year’s lessons.
To provide a comprehensive personal finance education, MAX:
• Includes online lessons, workshop events, and one-on-one financial coaching,
• Delivers information in a quick and easy way to understand, and
• Offers scholarships to motivate you to stay on track – awarding $110,000 to each class year of students annually.
To get started, go to www.AccessLex.org/MAXonline. Your name, email address, school, and class year are all that you need to sign up for the program. Your class year’s lessons will get you started on developing your personal financial strategy.
Credit History
This central site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA)
There are three major nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If you are denied an application for credit, insurance or employment, you have a right to know the name, address and telephone number of the CRA that provided the report.
Credit Scores
FTC
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know how credit scoring works.
FICO
The FICO® Score is a number that summarizes your credit risk. Lenders use it to make credit decisions, such as the interest rate you get when you apply for a loan. Many financial institutions use the FICO Score to make consumer credit decisions.
Learn more about checking your FICO Score
Identity Theft
Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a nonprofit, nationally respected organization dedicated exclusively to the understanding of identity theft and related issues. The ITRC provides victim and consumer support as well as public education. The ITRC also advises governmental agencies, legislators, law enforcement, and businesses about the evolving and growing problem of identity theft.
Visit the Identity Theft Resource Center.
OptOutPrescreen.com
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you ("Firm Offers"). The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers.
Tax Breaks for Higher Education
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) publishes an annual guide to federal tax benefits for higher education. This guide gives you an overview of all the options that may be available to you.
Federal Student Aid lists available IRS tax credits for education with summaries and helpful links.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS is the U.S. government agency responsible for tax collection and tax law enforcement. This site is the official online resource for all federal tax information. Find downloadable forms, instructions, and agency news and events. Answers to your tax filing questions can be found by using this site with its many individualized sections and powerful internal search engine.
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