Financial Literacy Standards

The National Financial Literacy Standards developed by the National Financial Educators Council are practical in nature yet align with educational standards.

Download the PDF of the NFECs' Financial Literacy Standards
The NFECs Financial Literacy Standards were developed to help individuals achieve a state of financial capability and provide clear steps so they implement the learned money management lessons in the 'real world'. Through collaborative efforts from the NFEC's team of educators, financial professional and community leaders, these financial education standards represent the best practices in the industry.

We invite you to use these guidelines when developing a new program or updating an existing program. These financial education standards were also designed with the NFECs holistic approach to financial capability in mind. Taking a comprehensive view of the issue of financial illiteracy and an individual's personal definition of financial success, these standard encompass the NFECs financial literacy definition "possessing the skills and knowledge on financial matters to confidently take effective action that best fulfills an individual's personal, family and global community goals."

Teaching Financial Literacy - Tips to teaching money skills.

Financial Literacy Programs - Top rated and certified personal finance programs.

Financial Literacy Workshops  - NFEC certified courses, afterschool programs and workshops.

The National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) financial literacy standards are among the most comprehensive standards in the industry.  They are aligned with standards for National Council of Economic Education, Jump$tart Coalition, National Council of English Teachers, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Business Education Association and the National Council for Social Studies. 

The NFEC financial literacy standards were developed by a team of educators, financial professionals and business experts.  They bridge the gap between education and practical application.  The focus is on helping participants achieve financial wellness and success (their own personal definition of success). 

On top of the education value, the NFEC financial literacy curriculum is entertaining, engaging and focuses on moving students to take positive financial action.  Many of the activities are hands on in nature, increasing retention rates and providing a true experiential learning program.

Educators who deliver the lesson plans report an excellent response from the students, and the post testing quantifies the effectiveness.  Educators who complete our Certified Financial Education Instructor Training Course have a deep understanding of the standards and know how to deliver the material effectively.

In discussions with hundreds of financially successful people and conducting in depth reviews of tens of thousand people from across the country, the NFEC standards have been highly acclaimed in their design and real world approach to the subjects.  These standards have help improve existing programs and our Financial Literacy Programs can help shape any program to align with our standards.

The NFECs' comprehensive financial literacy standards are available for students in Junior High, High School, College and adult education.  NFEC maintains that whether you are a student or an adult you should have some type of personal finance curriculum or money management training.  It has been observed that at any age people are given a course that delivers financial literacy curriculum they have a better understanding on practical money management matters.
 
We have included a list of the lessons that help young students build the foundation knowledge and serve as a backbone to helping them achieve financial wellness.  The foundation of the NFECs’ financial literacy standards addresses the psychology behind personal finances.  This feature of the standards (also a feature of the financial literacy pyramid) is included based on the consensus of financially successful people and educators.  Here are some additional unique features included in the NFECs’ financial education curriculum.

The NFEC’s standards cover ten key topics that exceed current national and state guidelines.  These foundation topics covered include: credit & debt, accounts & budgeting, psychology, skill growth and income.  The next level addressed is long-term planning, business relations, risk management and investing.  The final topic addressed is social enterprise; this is where students pick up basic entrepreneurial skill sets and a focus for working for the greater good.