Middle School & High School Financial Literacy

Students | Parents | Educators

52% of teens are eager to learn more about money management, but only 14% have taken a class on the topic - 35% would like to learn from their parents. (2007 Capital One annual back-to-school survey)

It is essential that young people today know how to make the most of their resources, learn how to manage their money, handle credit and debt, and make wise consumer choices. 

Take advantage of these educational tools and resources to help strengthen individual and family financial literacy:

For Middle School & High School Students

• Smart Money Connections – KMSQ (videos) – Program series geared toward Generation X/Y (ages 18 to 35) to get them thinking about their financial future and introduce them to investing skills and concepts; features real-life video clips and live audience.
• Getting Through Tough Times – University of Minnesota Extension (fact sheets) How You Can Help Mom & Dad, Deciding if Teens Should Work, and Helping Children Cope
• Be the “E”—Entrepreneurship – National 4-H (curriculum sampler) Learn how to own  your  business, be your own boss, make money…
• Consumer Savvy – National 4-H (Web site) See Consumer Roadmap for grades 9-12 plus a helper’s guide
• Financial Champions – National 4-H (curriculum) Experiential learning with youth guides, helper's guide, and an interactive web game
• Student Aid on the Web – U.S. Department of Education (Web site) Excellent overview of financial aid, eligibility and college lending.
• Know Your Credit Score – Consumer Federation of America (pdf) Describes credit scores in teen language: why it matters now.
• Consumer Jungle – Nonprofit (Web site) Curricula helps students become literate, savvy consumers with interactive games, activities, information.
• CUNA Resources for Young Adults – Credit Union National Association (Web site) Links to resources to help teens learn to manage their money.
• It All Adds Up –National Council on Economic Education (Web site) On-line games on credit, buying a car, budgeting, saving, investing, paying for college.
• Jumpstart Reality Check – Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy (Web site) Answer how you want to live on your own; learn what it will take.
• The Mint – Northwestern Mutual and the National Council on Economic Education (Web site) Interactive activities on earning, saving, spending, tracking, investing, owing, giving and safeguarding.
• NEFE High School Financial Planning Program – National Endowment for Financial Education (Web site) A free non-commercial financial education program for high school students.
• Nellie Mae – Federal Family Education Loan Program (Web site) Learn more about student loans with this great resource.
• Young American’s Center for Financial Education – Nonprofit (Web site) Programs teach young people 21 and under about finance, economics and business.
• Hands on Banking – Wells Fargo (Web site) A fun way to learn basics of smart money management.
• HomeFair – National Association of Realtors (Web site) Helps make informed choices about relocation, mortgages, and related topics.
• Financial Football – Visa and the National Football League (Web site) Tackle financial questions like professionals in this fast-paced, quiz-style game.