Research

Advancing evidence based financial counseling practice

Research is a core pillar of the Center for Excellence in Financial Counseling. CEFC advances applied, collaborative research that informs nonprofit financial counseling practice, education, and policy, strengthening outcomes for individuals and communities navigating financial challenges.

The Center's research portfolio reflects both its national legacy in rigorous program evaluation and its evolving emphasis on campus and community-engaged scholarship that responds to emerging financial challenges.

Contact the Center About Research Opportunities

UMSL Faculty Research Funding Opportunity

CEFC Applied Research Grant Program (2026-2027)

Open exclusively to current UMSL faculty. Applications from individuals outside the University of Missouri–St. Louis are not eligible.

The Center for Excellence in Financial Counseling invites proposals for applied research projects that advance financial well-being through education, community engagement, policy, and evidence-informed financial counseling practice. Funding of up to $5,000 per project is available, with support anticipated for up to four projects. Applications are due October 9, 2026, and applicants will be notified of funding decisions no later than October 30, 2026.

Learn More and Download Application Materials

Current Research Initiatives

Student Financial Wellness Survey

CEFC collaborates with Trellis Strategies and the University of Missouri–St. Louis Community Innovation and Action Center (CIAC) to support UMSL’s participation in the Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS), a nationally administered survey examining the relationship between student finances, basic needs security, mental health, and academic success.

Survey findings provide valuable insights that help:

• Inform campus conversations about student financial well being
• Guide student support strategies and services
• Support data informed institutional planning

CEFC views participation in the SFWS as an ongoing research initiative, with opportunities to share high level insights, explore trends over time, and support future applied research efforts.

Faculty led research and grants

The Center for Excellence in Financial Counseling supports UMSL faculty scholarship that advances understanding of financial well-being, financial counseling effectiveness, financial education, and related policy and practice issues. Through periodic research funding opportunities and collaborative partnerships, CEFC encourages interdisciplinary, applied research with meaningful implications for individuals, families, communities, and practitioners.

Funded projects have explored topics such as:

• Financial decision making
• Access to financial services
• Consumer borrowing
• Financial education tools
• Student financial wellness
• Community financial well-being
• Housing and consumer finance
• Technology and personal finance

These projects demonstrate CEFC's commitment to supporting scholarship that bridges research, practice, education, and community impact.

UMSL Faculty Research Projects Funded by CEFC

Research funded through the Center for Excellence in Financial Counseling supports innovative scholarship by University of Missouri–St. Louis faculty. These projects reflect CEFC's commitment to advancing financial well-being through applied research, interdisciplinary collaboration, student engagement, community partnership, and evidence-informed practice. The archive below highlights projects supported through CEFC's faculty research funding initiatives.