JA Financial Literacy Course

JA Financial Literacy Course

Course Description

4 units · 16 topics · 90 sessions · 18-week semester

A semester-long course that introduces essential financial concepts through real-world scenarios and collaborative problem-solving that help learners make informed decisions about earning, spending, saving, investing, and managing credit. This comprehensive course helps districts and states meet financial literacy mandates nationwide.

Student-facing materials are available to all visitors. Facilitator materials, educator guides, assessments, and implementation resources become available after registration.

Program Resources

Program Overview

What the semester course covers, how the 5E instructional framework guides the learning experience, and how to plan your delivery.
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Course Pacing Guide

Semester pacing across all four units, topic by topic, and the Case Challenge.
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Assessment Tools

Assessments are incorporated across the course to ensure outcomes based learning goals are achieved.
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Units

Unit 1: Employment, Income & Financial Decision-Making

“How do career choices, education, taxes, and benefits work together to shape an individual’s financial well-being?”

How people earn money and make sound financial decisions — careers, educational pathways, taxes, benefits, and the choices that shape future financial opportunities.
TOPICS COVERED:ㅤEarning & SpendingㅤEducation, Careers, & Earning PotentialㅤTaxes, Withholding, & Public BenefitsㅤEmployee Benefits & Total Compensation
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Unit 2: Money Management & Financial Institutions

“How can individuals manage their money effectively to meet short-term needs and long-term financial goals?”

The everyday mechanics of handling money — how financial institutions, consumer decisions, budgeting, and saving strategies work together to influence everyday spending choices and long-term financial planning.
TOPICS COVERED:ㅤFinancial Institutions & Financial ServicesㅤConsumer Decision-MakingㅤTaxes, Budgeting & Cash Flow ManagementㅤSaving & Financial Goal Setting
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Unit 3: Credit, Debt, & Consumer Protection

“How can responsible credit use and consumer protection strategies support long-term financial health?”

Understanding credit as a tool — how borrowing decisions, credit systems, and consumer protections shape financial risks and opportunities.
TOPICS COVERED:ㅤCredit & BorrowingㅤCredit Scores & Credit ReportsㅤManaging Debt & Financial RiskㅤConsumer Protection, Fraud, & Identity Theft
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Unit 4: Planning for the Future & Financial Independence

“How can long-term financial planning help individuals build stability, manage risk, and prepare for future goals?”

Planning for the long-term — how saving, investing, risk management, and long-term financial planning work together to build financial security and independence.
TOPICS COVERED:ㅤInvesting vs. SavingㅤInvesting Basics & Asset GrowthㅤRisk Management & InsuranceㅤLong-TermㅤFinancial Planning & Insurance Needs
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Case Challenge

The Case Challenge

The course culminates in this end-of-semester personalized case study that requires learners to step into the role of decision-maker by building their own 10-year financial plan that reflects their priorities using FinanceFolio artifacts from all four units of the course.
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