Financial capability and asset accumulation for children's education: Evidence from an experiment of child development accounts

On the basis of theoretical framework of financial capability, this study investigates the roles of financial access and financial knowledge in savings and asset accumulation for children's postsecondary education. We use data from SEED for Oklahoma Kids (N =2,704), a statewide policy experiment offering Child Development Accounts (CDAs) to treatment participants. This study employs quantile regressions with two dependent variables: savings amount (net deposits made by caregivers of children) and total asset amount (the sum of savings, financial incentives offered by the experiment, and investment earnings). Results identify positive and statistically significant interactions between treatment status and financial knowledge, suggesting that access to CDAs moderates the association between financial knowledge and asset accumulation. Providing empirical support for the theory of financial capability, the findings call for interventions that enhance financial knowledge, expand financial access, and improve asset accumulation for all children.