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Classroom Resources

Personal Financial Literacy: The New Social Studies Course for Texas

Personal Financial Literacy has joined the social studies curriculum across Texas. The course is offered in every high school. This site contains a suggested scope and sequence for the course that is organized by the strands of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the course. The materials are from various Federal Reserve banks, nonprofit organizations and state and national government agencies.

In addition to the topic-specific resources on the tabs below, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta has produced a curriculum—Making Finance Personal: Project-Based Learning for the Personal Finance Classroom—that includes projects for many of the topics in the course.

The TEKS for the course can be found in Chapter 113.49 on the Texas Education Agency website.


Unit 1: Earning and Spending

Recommended days: 13

Recommended sequence

Day

Topic

TEKS

1

Money Personality

1 (A), 1 (B)

2

Financial Goal Setting

1 (C)

3

Developing a Balance Sheet

2 (D), 2 (E)

4

Banking Records

2 (A)

5–6

It’s Your Paycheck

3 (A), 3 (B), 3 (C)

7–8

Budget

2 (B), 2 (C), 2 (F)

9

Owning vs. Renting a House

4 (A)

10

Owning vs. Renting a Car

4 (B)

11–12

Be a Smart Shopper

4 (C), 4 (D)

13

Unit Wrap-up and Assessment

 

Day 1: Money personality

TEKS

1.

Earning and spending. The student understands how to set personal financial goals. The student is expected to:

 

(A) differentiate between needs and wants in evaluating spending decisions;

 

(B) investigate the student’s money personality, including spending and saving propensity;

Instructor note: Distribute a spending/expense tracking sheet that will be used for the budget lesson.

Recommended resource

Focus on Money Personalities
Unit 2
Focus on Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Day 2: Financial goal setting

TEKS

1.

Earning and spending. The student understands how to set personal financial goals. The student is expected to:

 

(C) develop financial goals for the short, medium, and long term that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based.

Recommended resources

Budget to Save – Developing a Budget
Lesson 2
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Setting goals, saving, and planning for large purchases
Module 1
Your Money, Your Goals Toolkit
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

My New Money Goal (worksheet)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Day 3: Developing a balance sheet

TEKS

2.

Earning and spending. The student understands how financial statements are used to assess and monitor financial wellbeing. The student is expected to:

 

(D) identify assets and liabilities;

 

(E) construct a balance sheet or net worth statement; and

Recommended resources

Budget to Save – The Balance Sheet
Lesson 1 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Focus on Your Net Worth
Unit 3
Focus on Your Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Day 4: Banking records

TEKS

2.

Earning and spending. The student understands how financial statements are used to assess and monitor financial wellbeing. The student is expected to:

 

(A) reconcile a bank statement with personal records to ensure the accuracy of deposits, withdrawals, and transfer activities;

Recommended resources

Budget to Save – Put It in the Bank
Lesson 3 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Infographic: Where Do You Bank?
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Cash the Check and Track the Dough
Lesson 3
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Banking and Budgeting (lesson plan)
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Days 5–6: It’s your paycheck

TEKS

3.

Earning and spending. The student analyzes components of compensation from employment. The student is expected to:

 

(A) identify benefits such as health insurance contributions, retirement benefits, sick leave, vacation pay, flexible spending account, health savings account, workers compensation, life insurance, and disability insurance;

 

(B) identify taxes that are deducted from paychecks, including Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and federal income taxes; and

 

(C) calculate gross and net pay.

Recommended resources

"W" Is for Wages, W4 and W2
Lesson 2
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Ways to Receive Your Money (flyer)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Day 7–8: Developing a budget

TEKS

2.

Earning and spending. The student understands how financial statements are used to assess and monitor financial wellbeing. The student is expected to:

 

(B) track income and expenses and develop an income statement;

 

(C) develop a budget that incorporates short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals;

 

(F) evaluate the impact of unplanned spending on a budget.

Recommended resources

Budget to Save – Developing a Budget
Lesson 2 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Your Budget Plan
Lesson 4
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Focus on Your Net Worth
Unit 3
Focus on Your Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Budgets (video)
Federal Trade Commission

Day 9: Owning vs. renting housing

TEKS

4.

Earning and spending. The student critically evaluates consumption decisions. The student is expected to:

 

(A) analyze costs and benefits of owning versus renting housing;

Recommended resources

Save and Invest: Owning versus Renting
Lesson 4 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Owning a Home
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Homes & Mortgages
Federal Trade Commission

Shopping for a Mortgage (flyer)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Ready to buy a home? (flyer)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Renting an Apartment (video)
Federal Trade Commission

Day 10: Owning vs. renting a car

TEKS

4.

Earning and spending. The student critically evaluates consumption decisions. The student is expected to:

 

(B) analyze costs and benefits of owning versus leasing a vehicle;

Recommended resources

The Car Deal Package
Lesson Four
Cards, Cars and Currency
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Buying & Owning a Car
Federal Trade Commission

Day 11–12: Be a savvy shopper

TEKS

4.

Earning and spending. The student critically evaluates consumption decisions. The student is expected to:

 

(C) compare total costs of alternative methods of payment such as rent-to-own, store credit, installment agreements, cash, bank credit card, and debit card; and

 

(D) apply strategies for making informed decisions about purchasing consumer goods such as comparing prices per unit, looking for sales or promotions, and negotiating price.

Recommended resources

Build Credit and Control Debt: Use Credit Wisely
Lesson 10 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Build Credit and Control Debt: Are You Creditworthy?
Lesson 11 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Build Credit and Control Debt: Term Loans
Lesson 12 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

To Rent-to-Own or Not to Rent-to-Own?
Lesson 9
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Fees, Fees and More Fees: It All Adds Up
Episode 17
Personal Finance 101 Conversations (video)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Banks and Alternatives
Episode 19
Personal Finance 101 Conversations (video)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Alternative Financial Services Infographic
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Saving Money When You Shop (lesson plan)
Federal Trade Commission

Videos

Federal Trade Commission

Unit 2: Saving and Investing

Total recommended days: 9

Recommended sequence

Day

Topic

TEKS

1

Saving Strategies (Why Save?)

5 (A), 5 (B), 5 (C)

2

Financial Institutions and Markets

6 (A), 6 (B), 7 (C)

3–4

Savings Instruments

6 (C)

5

Stocks

6 (D)

6

Bonds

6 (D)

7

Mutual Funds

6 (D)

8

Retire (Someday)

7 (A), 7 (B)

9

Unit Wrap-up and Assessment

 

Day 1: Saving strategies (Why save?)

TEKS

5.

Saving and investing. The student understands the importance of saving and investing in creating wealth and building assets. The student is expected to:

 

(A) develop a short-term savings strategy to achieve a goal such as establishing and maintaining an emergency fund;

 

(B) develop an intermediate-term saving and investing strategy to achieve a goal such as accumulating a down payment on a home or vehicle; and

 

(C) develop a long-term investing strategy to achieve a goal such as a financially secure retirement.

Recommended resources

Focus on Savings and Investments
Unit 5
Focus on Your Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Wealth Creation for All (video)
Episode 2
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Day 2: Financial institutions and markets

TEKS

6.

Saving and investing. The student understands the implementation of a saving and investing plan. The student is expected to:

 

(A) discuss the role of financial institutions and markets in saving and investing;

 

(B) demonstrate the impact of compound growth over time;

7.

Saving and investing. The student demonstrates an understanding of the importance of planning for retirement. The student is expected to:

 

(C) demonstrate an understanding of the importance of saving early and at a sufficient level to achieve financial security in retirement.

Recommended resources

Budget to Save – Put It in the Bank
Lesson 3 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Know Your Financial Advisor (flyer)
Information flyer
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Growing Money
Episode 1
No-Frills Money Skills Video Series
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Ways to Save - 401(K) and Roth 401(k)
Episode 2
No-Frills Money Skills Video Series
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Infographic: Where Do You Bank?
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Focus on Savings and Investments
Unit 5
Focus on Your Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Extra Credit: Why Students Need to Understand Investing Basics (article)
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Invest Quest (game)
Federal Trade Commission

Day 3—4: Saving instruments

TEKS

6.

Saving and investing. The student understands the implementation of a saving and investing plan. The student is expected to:

 

(C) evaluate the costs and benefits of various savings options such as bank savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market mutual funds; and

Recommended resources

Budget to Save – Put It in the Bank
Lesson 3 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Bank Accounts (video)
Federal Trade Commission

Day 5: Stocks

TEKS

6.

Saving and investing. The student understands the implementation of a saving and investing plan. The student is expected to:

 

(D) evaluate risk and return of various investment options, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Recommended resources

Save and Invest: Stocks—Owning Part of a Company
Lesson 5 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Get Into Stocks
Episode 3
No-Frills Money Skills Video Series
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Day 6: Bonds

TEKS

6.

Saving and investing. The student understands the implementation of a saving and investing plan. The student is expected to:

 

(D) evaluate risk and return of various investment options, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Recommended resources

Save and Invest: Bonds—Lending Your Money
Lesson 6 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Understanding Bonds
Episode 4
No-Frills Money Skills Video Series
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Day 7: Mutual funds

TEKS

6.

Saving and investing. The student understands the implementation of a saving and investing plan. The student is expected to:

 

(D) evaluate risk and return of various investment options, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Recommended resources

Save and Invest: Diversification
Lesson 7 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Save and Invest: Investing for a Lifetime
Lesson 8 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Mutual Benefit
Episode 5
No-Frills Money Skills Video Series
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Day 8: Retire (someday)

TEKS

7.

Saving and investing. The student demonstrates an understanding of the importance of planning for retirement. The student is expected to:

 

(A) identify costs of retirement such as living expenses, health care expenses, and long-term care expenses;

 

(B) identify and explain sources of income during retirement including Social Security, individual savings, and employer-sponsored plans;

Recommended resources

Focus on Retirement
Unit 8
Focus on Your Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Retirement Toolkit (brochure)
Department of Labor,
Social Security Administration and
Department of Health and Human Services

What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan (brochure)
Department of Labor

Unit 3: Credit and Borrowing

Total recommended days: 7

Recommended sequence

Day

Topic

TEKS

1

Learn the Credit Lingo

8 (B), 10 (A), 10 (C),

2

Sources of Credit

8 (A)

3

The Decision to Use Credit

8 (C)

4

Reducing the Cost of Credit

10 (B)

5

Credit Worthiness

9 (A), 9 (B), 9(C)

6

Credit Pitfalls

9 (D), 9 (E)

7

Unit Wrap-up and Assessment

 

Day 1: Learn the credit lingo

TEKS

8.

Credit and borrowing. The student understands the use of credit to make purchases. The student is expected to:

 

(B) compare and contrast types of credit, including revolving and installment credit, collateralized loans versus unsecured credit; and

10.

Credit and borrowing. The student evaluates a decision to use credit. The student is expected to:

 

(A) examine the components of the cost of borrowing, including annual percentage rate (APR), fixed versus variable interest, length of term, grace period, and additional fees such as late payment, cash advance, and prepayment penalties;

 

(C) differentiate between the use and cost of debit and credit cards.

Recommended resources

Focus on Credit Cards
Unit 6
Focus on Financial Management
Purdue University Extension Service

Build Credit and Control Debt: Term Loans
Lesson 12 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

5 Tips: Getting the Most from Your Credit Card (flyer)
Board of Governors

How to Establish, Use & Protect Credit (brochure)
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Understand Your Credit Card Statement
National Credit Union Administration

Day 2: Sources of credit

TEKS

8.

Credit and borrowing. The student understands the use of credit to make purchases. The student is expected to:

 

(A) compare and contrast sources of credit such as banks, merchants, peer-to-peer, payday loans, and title loans;

Recommended resources

Fees, Fees and More Fees: It all Adds Up
Episode 17
Personal Finance 101 Conversations (video)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Banks and Alternatives
Episode 19
Personal Finance 101 Conversations (video)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Videos and Media

Federal Trade Commission

Alternative Financial Services Infographic
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

So How Much Are You Really Paying for That Loan?
Lesson 8
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Day 3: The decision to use credit

TEKS

8.

Credit and borrowing. The student understands the use of credit to make purchases. The student is expected to:

 

(C) evaluate the impact of credit decisions on monthly budget, income statement, and net worth statement.

Recommended resource

Build Credit and Control Debt: Use Credit Wisely
Lesson 10 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Day 4: Reducing the cost of credit

TEKS

10.

Credit and borrowing. The student evaluates a decision to use credit. The student is expected to:

 

(B) explain strategies to reduce total cost of borrowing such as higher down payment and making additional principal payments;

Recommended resources

Build Credit and Control Debt: Term Loans
Lesson 12 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Minimum Payments on Credit Cards (video)
Federal Trade Commission

Day 5: Creditworthiness

TEKS

9.

Credit and borrowing. The student identifies factors that affect creditworthiness. The student is expected to:

 

(A) discuss how character, capacity, and collateral can adversely or positively impact an individual's credit rating and the ability to obtain credit;

 

(B) describe how to access and interpret a sample credit report and score;

 

(C) describe the importance of monitoring credit reports regularly and addressing mistakes;

Recommended resources

Build Credit and Control Debt: Are You Creditworthy?
Lesson 11 (Interactive Lesson Plans)
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Credit Reports and Credit Scores (brochure)
Board of Governors

5 Tips: Improving Your Credit Score (brochure)
Board of Governors

Credit Reports—and You Thought Your Report Card Was Important
Lesson 6
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Creditors’ Criteria and Borrowers’ Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson 7
It’s Your Paycheck
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Video

Federal Trade Commission

Day 6: Credit pitfalls

TEKS

9.

Credit and borrowing. The student identifies factors that affect credit worthiness. The student is expected to:

 

(D) identify factors that could lead to bankruptcy such as medical expenses, job loss, divorce, or a failed business; and

 

(E) appraise the impact of borrowing decisions on credit score, including consequences of poor credit management and bankruptcy.

Recommended resources

5 Tips: Improving Your Credit Score (flyer)
Board of Governors

Bankruptcy Basics (video and website)
United States Courts

Unit 4: Insuring and Protecting

Total recommended days: 11

Recommended sequence

Day

Topic

TEKS

1

What Is Risk?

11 (A), 11 (B)

2–4

Insurance 101

12 (A), 12 (B), 12 (C), 12 (D), 12 (E), 12 (F)

5

Other Types of Insurance

12 (G)

6–7

Identity Theft and Scams

13 (A), 13 (B)

8

Consumer Protection

13 (C)

9–10

The Importance of Legal Documents

14 (A), 14 (B)

11

Unit Wrap-up and Assessment

 

Day 1: What is risk?

TEKS

11.

Insuring and protecting. The student recognizes financial risks faced by individuals and families and identifies strategies for handling these risks. The student is expected to:

 

(A) identify risk as potential loss of assets or earning potential; and

 

(B) apply risk management strategies, including: avoiding, reducing, retaining, and transferring risk.

Recommended resources

Save and Invest: Risk and Return
Lesson 9
Building Wealth in the Classroom
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Katrina Strikes: Financial and Emergency Preparedness
Lesson 1
Katrina's Classroom: Teaching Money Skills for Life
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Financial Lessons from Athletes Who Earned and Lost Millions (classroom activity using an ESPN video)
Extra Credit
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Next Generation: Risk and Insurance
Module 1 (lesson plans, activities and videos)
Life Happens nonprofit, hosted by Scholastic

Days 2–4: Insurance 101

TEKS

12.

Insuring and protecting. The student identifies the costs and benefits of insurance for transferring risk. The student is expected to:

 

(A) define insurance terminology, including premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and policy limits;

 

(B) explain the costs and benefits of different types and sources of health insurance such as individual health plans, employer-provided health plans, and government-provided health plans;

 

(C) explain the costs and benefits of disability and long-term care insurance;

 

(D) explain the costs and benefits of life insurance, including term insurance and whole life insurance;

 

(E) explain the costs and benefits of property insurance, including homeowner's and renter's insurance;

 

(F) explain the costs and benefits of automobile insurance and factors that impact the price of insurance, including the type of vehicle, age and sex of driver, driving record, deductible, and geographic location;

Recommended resources

Insurance for kids
Texas Department of Insurance

Insurance curriculum (lesson plans and activities)
Texas Department of Insurance

Automobile insurance guide
Texas Department of Insurance

Driver Profile Worksheet
Texas Department of Insurance

Next Generation: Life Insurance
Module 2 (lesson plans, activities and videos)
Life Happens nonprofit, hosted by Scholastic

Next Generation: Health Insurance
Module 3 (lesson plans, activities and videos)
Life Happens nonprofit, hosted by Scholastic

Next Generation: Disability Insurance
Module 4 (lesson plans, activities and videos)
Life Happens nonprofit, hosted by Scholastic

Texas Department of Insurance

Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Guide
Texas Department of Insurance

Insurance 101
Life Happens nonprofit

Day 5: Other types of insurance

TEKS

12.

Insuring and protecting. The student identifies the costs and benefits of insurance for transferring risk. The student is expected to:

 

(G) explain the costs and benefits of supplemental types of insurance such as extended warranties, mortgage protection life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment life insurance, car loan payoff coverage, debt cancellation coverage, and credit life coverage.

Recommended resource

Texas Department of Insurance

Day 6–7: Identity theft

TEKS

13.

Insuring and protecting. The student identifies the costs and benefits of insurance for transferring risk. The student is expected to:

 

(A) identify ways to protect personal information and reduce risk of identity theft;

  (B) recognize common schemes and scams such as investment, pyramid, phishing, check cashing, and home renovation scams; and

Recommended resources

Scams and Identity Theft (curriculum unit with four lessons)

  • Avoid Identity Theft
  • Job Scams
  • Money Wiring Scams
  • Scams Against Immigrants

Federal Trade Commission

Identity theft and online security
Federal Trade Commission

Identity theft
USA.gov

Videos and media

Federal Trade Commission

Day 8: Consumer protection

TEKS

13.

Insuring and protecting. The student understands how to identify and protect themselves from frauds, schemes, and scams. The student is expected to:

 

(C) demonstrate an understanding of how to use consumer protection agencies such as the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Financial Protection Board, or the Texas State Securities Board to research and report fraud.

Recommended resources

Consumer Financial Protection Board

Texas State Securities Board

USA.gov

Federal Trade Commission – Bureau of Consumer Protection

How to File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (video)
Federal Trade Commission

Day 9–10: The importance of legal documents

TEKS

14.

Insuring and protecting. The student understands the legal instruments available for estate planning. The student is expected to:

 

(A) explain the importance of guardianship of minor children and wills and beneficiary designation; and

 

(B) explain the importance of a power of attorney, living will, and medical directive.

Recommended resources

To Will or Not To Will (publication)
Texas Bar Association and
Texas Young Lawyers Association

Estate Planning FAQs
American Bar Association

Unit 5: College and Postsecondary Education and Training

Total recommended days: 9

Recommended sequence

Day

Topic

TEKS

1

Relationship Between Education and Earnings

15 (A)

2–3

College Selection Criteria

15 (D)

4–5

Costs of Postsecondary Education

15 (B), 15 (C)

6

All About the FAFSA

16 (A)

7–8

Paying for College

16 (B), 16 (C)

9

Unit Wrap-up and Assessment

 

Day 1: The relationship between education and earnings

TEKS

15.

College and postsecondary education and training. The student recognizes the costs and benefits of various types of college, post-secondary education, and training. The student is expected to:

 

(A) analyze the relationship between education and training and earnings;

Recommended resources

Why College?
Unit 1
Navigate: Exploring College and Careers
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

College: Learning the Skills To Pay the Bills?
(article and discussion guide)
Page One Economics Classroom Edition
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Back to School
Lesson 4
Katrina's Classroom: Teaching Money Skills for Life
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Infographic: Developing Human Capital
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Day 2–3: College selection criteria

TEKS

15.

College and postsecondary education and training. The student recognizes the costs and benefits of various types of college, post-secondary education, and training. The student is expected to:

 

(D) analyze the quality of education investment using measures such as academic reputation, selectivity and rigor in a chosen area of study, average starting salary of students graduating in chosen field, and likelihood of student graduation.

Recommended resources

College Choice 101
Episode 15
Personal Finance 101 Conversations (video)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Infographic: College 101
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Day 4–5: Costs of postsecondary education

TEKS

15.

College and postsecondary education and training. The student recognizes the costs and benefits of various types of college, post-secondary education, and training. The student is expected to:

 

(B) identify types of costs associated with college, postsecondary education, and training;

 

(C) compare costs among postsecondary education and training institutions such as public universities, private universities, certification programs, and community colleges;

Recommended resources

How Much Does College Cost?
Unit 4
Navigate: Exploring College and Careers
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Pay for College (website with articles and video)
Big Future
The College Board

Day 6: All about the FAFSA

TEKS

16.

College and postsecondary education and training. The student understands various options for paying for college, postsecondary education, and training. The student is expected to:

 

(A) understand how, why, and when to complete grant and scholarship applications and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provided by the U.S. Department of Education;

Recommended resources

FAFSA 101
Episode 14
Personal Finance 101 Conversations (video)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

How Financial Aid Works
FAFSA website
Department of Education

Federal Student Aid
YouTube channel

Day 7–8: Paying for college

TEKS

16.

College and postsecondary education and training. The student understands various options for paying for college, postsecondary education, and training. The student is expected to:

 

(B) research various sources of funds for postsecondary education and training, including student loans, grants and scholarships, and other sources such as work-study and military programs; and

 

(C) analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various sources of funds for postsecondary education and training, including student loans, grants and scholarships, and other sources such as work-study and military programs.

Recommended resources

Pay for College (website with articles and video)
Big Future
The College Board

Scholarship Search (interactive research site)
Big Future
The College Board

Types of Financial Aid: Loans, Grants / vbb 0 .and Work-Study Programs
Federal Student Aid website
Department of Education

Finding and Applying for Scholarships
Federal Student Aid website
Department of Education