Financial literacy is a critical life skill, but not all students have equal access to high-quality financial education. Many schools face resource limitations, and without intentional solutions, some students may never get the chance to learn about budgeting, saving, or planning for the future. Money Path helps educators bridge that gap.
The challenge: unequal access to financial education
Research shows that not all students are guaranteed the chance to learn personal finance in school. Although financial education requirements are expanding, currently only 26.3% of US public high school students are guaranteed to take a personal finance course. Wisconsin is one of the 29 states that require a personal finance course to graduate. However, that requirement doesn’t apply to independent charter schools or private choice schools. And even in schools with the mandate, limited resources and competing priorities can mean students don’t get the depth of learning they need. Without tools designed to fill that gap, many teens, particularly those in under-resourced communities, still risk missing out on critical financial skills.
How Money Path
1. A free, web-based platform
Money Path is free for educators and students throughout Wisconsin high schools, thanks to generous supporters. By removing financial barriers, it allows schools of all sizes to participate and ensures every student can benefit from the same lessons and resources regardless of their location or school type.
2. Easy, classroom-ready integration
Money Path is designed to fit seamlessly into any classroom. We provide educator and advisor support, a lesson guide, and a guided facilitation video. We also provide templates like our Academic and Career Planning Graduation Portfolio and Personal Finance Project Guide. By giving educators and advisors everything they need to get started, they can focus on their students. That way, students can dive in right away.
3. Self-paced learning for every student
Every student learns differently. Money Path’s self-paced activities and interactive exercises let students explore concepts at their own speed, ensuring no one is left behind and every learner can engage meaningfully with the material.
4. Real-world skills that stick
Money Path equips students with practical tools they can immediately put into practice. Such as building a budget, setting savings goals, and calculating their after-tax income. Seeing exactly what they’ll have available for expenses and future goals helps students connect classroom learning to real-life decision-making. By giving all students the chance to explore these skills in a guided way, Money Path ensures that financial knowledge isn’t limited to those with outside resources; it’s something every learner can carry into their future.
5. Insights through follow-up reports
After students use Money Path, teachers receive two follow-up reports: a Pathway Report. This shows which students created accounts and the financial paths they built, and an Evaluation Report. This report summarizes feedback from the built-in student survey. These insights provide a clear picture of how students are engaging with the program, helping ensure that all learners have the support and guidance they need to put their new financial skills into action.
Get Money Path today
Access to financial education shouldn’t depend on a student’s zip code or school resources. With Money Path, educators can provide a flexible, engaging, and free platform that ensures all students. Not just those in well-resourced schools, but also those who gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial choices. By putting real-world tools in the hands of every learner, Money Path helps level the playing field so all students can build a strong foundation for the future. To get Money Path for your school, fill out this short user request form, or sign up for a live 15-minute demo.