Schools and Universities are Helping Families
From elementary schools to colleges, students and teachers are doing their part in connecting community members to free tax preparation and EITC filing by:

• Opening their doors to serve as free tax preparation sites
• Teaching financial literacy courses to EITC recipients
• Enlisting staff and students as volunteers
• Spreading the word in their communities about free tax preparation and EITC

Education is the critical element in the Earned Income Tax Credit program. Many eligible families are unaware of the tax credit, and some who are aware of it may not know that free tax help is available. Many are also unaware of the risks of predatory lenders who offer tax money back quickly - for a costly fee. As the center of community activities, schools are well positioned to mobilize volunteers, reach the wider community through students and their families, and also give leadership to local coalitions by leveraging their influence and community relationships.

What do schools and universities bring to EITC initiatives?

• Access to potential EITC recipients (students)
• In-kind promotional services
• Volunteers - in particular, accounting, business, public health students
• Sites for tax preparation
• Evaluation experts
• Services (banks, mortgage companies, asset development seminars, credit checks...)
• Connections to other community organizations

What benefits do they receive for being involved?

• Additional services for employees and students
• Name associated with a program that has extremely positive and measurable impact
• Volunteer opportunities for employees and students
• Service-Learning opportunities
• Training on tax preparation for volunteers
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to communities and social responsibility