DETROIT, May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, 34 high
school students from University YES Academy showed program officials the critical skills they've learned to help them manage
their money in the future. In total, 108 students at YES are taking part in this year's John Hancock Michigan Scholars, a unique
digital financial literacy learning initiative currently running in 35 Michigan Schools.
Administered by teachers in a classroom setting, the web-based course offers over eight hours of programming on a variety of
financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401(k)s and
other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards. The platform uniquely tracks the progress and
performance of every student.
"Using EverFi has really opened my students' eyes about the importance of financial literacy," said Zuqueta Brown,
10th Grade Lead and Civics and Economics Teacher, University YES Academy. "The program has inspired them to have
discussions at home with their parents, and bring questions to class; both of which have resulted in very rich discussions. The
best part of the program is that it's online. I think the use of media has helped them retain more of the information."
"John Hancock has made a truly significant investment in Michigan schools aimed at helping
students develop a foundation of financial understanding and capability which is absolutely essential," said EverFi Founder and
CEO Tom Davidson. "This program helps to prepare thousands of students across the state with
the financial management skills needed to advance their own futures."
John Hancock is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to
successfully navigate the increasingly complex financial world. The company has partnered with EverFi to bring John Hancock
Michigan Scholars to local students at no cost to schools or taxpayers. The program began in 13 Michigan schools in 2014 and now
is offered in 35 schools, reaching over 1,500 students. The web-based program uses the latest in simulation and gaming
technologies to bring complex financial concepts to life for today's digital generation.
"John Hancock is proud to partner with EverFi to help Michigan students enhance their
financial capabilities," said Linda Watters, vice president, John Hancock. "It is vitally
important for young people to understand how the financial decisions they make today can have a long term impact on their lives.
We believe the John Hancock Michigan Scholars program will help prepare these students for a brighter financial
future."
While more states are implementing standards in personal finance, only 17 states require high school students to take a course
in personal finance, according to the Council for Economic Education (CEE). John Hancock
partners with EverFi to implement John Hancock Michigan Scholars in a co-curricular basis, providing students with the
opportunity to develop healthy financial attitudes and behaviors in a classroom setting.
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial
services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and
the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and
Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our
group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its
extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its
subsidiaries were $904 billion (US $697 billion) as at March 31, 2016. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the
SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of
financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings,
and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com
About EverFi
EverFi, Inc. is the leading education technology company focused on teaching, assessing, and certifying K-12 and
college students in the critical skills they need for life. The company teams with major corporations and foundations to provide
the programs at no cost to K-12 schools. Some of America's leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EverFi investors including
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Twitter founder Evan Williams,
and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt. Learn more at everfi.com.
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SOURCE John Hancock Financial