Get on the path to financial security with training in money management and a matched savings account designed to help you gain lifelong assets such as a home, a college education, or your own business.

An Individual Development Account is a special savings account:

• You save up for a long term asset, such as a home, education, or business capital.
• Every dollar you put into your account is matched by $3.00 from program sponsors.
• While you save, you learn how to manage your money and how to succeed at your goal.

IDA programs last for 6 months to a year or more. Once you reach your savings goal, you can withdraw the money and invest it in the asset you worked towards. You’ll also have the skills you need to succeed with your home, business, or educational goals.

How to apply

To be eligible for an IDA, you must be an Arkansas resident, with at least one person in the household under the age of 18 or over the age of 65. There are also income guidelines.

Contact IDA Director Aaron Randall at (479) 872-7479 to apply. If you meet basic eligibility guidelines, you’ll be provided with application forms and will interview for the program.

Online classes

Classes in financial management are offered throughout Northwest Arkansas. You will attend “Introduction to IDAs and Opportunity Costs,” where you will receive your textbook. You will then take 6 more classes online. For each class, you will take a pretest and a posttest. These tests can be turned in by email, or you can print them out and mail them in. Take the pretest and turn it in, follow the instructions in the course module, using the Economic Literacy Education textbook you received at the first class meeting, and then take and turn in the posttest.

Name	Size
Name	Size
Budgeting	101.0 KiB
Checking and Savings Accounts	71.7 KiB
Credit and Loans	59.9 KiB
Goal Setting and Critical Thinking	82.1 KiB
Homeownership, Small Business, and Preparing for College	66.3 KiB
Insurance and Taxes	67.0 KiB

You will receive a certificate of completion by mail.

IDA Materials

• Instructions for taking the class online