At www.huntingtonforschools.com students drag school supplies electronically into a virtual backpack to see the total cost add up. The online feature is the latest component of the annual Huntington Backpack Index, a reference for smart shopping that can help teach children about budgeting and bargains. The 2008 Huntington Backpack Index indicates that parents need to be prepared to spend $385 for elementary school children, $551.81 for middle school children and $911 for high school students. Huntington also found that many schools are requiring more electronic devices such as flash drives as well as more elaborate organization tools such as notebooks and planners.

The national effort aims to help address a recent Bank of America sponsored survey finding where nearly four in 10 (38%) college-aged students reported they can use help in managing their money. Bank of America introduced a financial awareness campaign designed to educate and empower students to take control of their finances and bank with confidence in this new academic year. Morris on Campus,™ Life According to an Upperclassman,™ provides college students with tips on how to navigate campus life, including money matters, through Webisodes, additional online content as well as offline communication pieces. Morris will introduce students to Bank of America's new Student Package, a suite of easy-to-use banking products designed specifically for students, while also pointing them to helpful financial resources, such as the Student Financial Handbook, a downloadable guide that provides students with easy to understand explanations and advice on an array of financial topics. The Morris on Campus site can be found here. Full Article read here .