Personal Financial Literacy

Financial Literacy Innovation Grants

Wisconsin Act 60 requires a half-credit of personal financial literacy (PFL) for high school graduation starting with the class of 2028. How can you make PFL effective and engaging? Find out how one Wisconsin PFL educator, Alex Schrempf, does it at D.C. Everest Senior High School (below).

And now there is grant funding to help.

Apply for a Financial Literacy Innovation Grant by July 15, 2026!

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has created a fund for the purpose of promoting innovation in teaching PFL in the classroom. A competitive grant process by the Department of Public Instruction now invites schools, community organizations, and consortia to support the implementation of the Wisconsin Standards for Personal Financial Literacy in the classroom and the execution of the Act 60 PFL graduation requirement.

Award amount: Up to $7,500 per applicant (up to $22,500 per consortium)

Purpose examples: To engage students as active participants in PFL program development, foster cross-grade collaboration, explore school and community partnerships, and create professional development opportunities for educators.

Eligibility: All educators, principals, and administrators in public and private K-12 school districts or their equivalent in Wisconsin (CESA), and community-based organizations.

Deadline: Completed application by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Application materials:

• Application Instructions for Financial Literacy Innovation Grants
• Application

For questions, contact: Jen Jackson, (608) 266-2803, jennifer.jackson@dpi.wi.gov or Julie Anderson, (608) 266-7330, julie.anderson@dpi.wi.gov

Financial Literacy in Education

Personal financial literacy (PFL) gives students the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions, develop sound financial habits, and manage money effectively. A solid foundation in PFL can help students finance their education, purchase a home, or cover medical expenses. In other words, it can help them reach their goals and maintain financial stability regardless of life’s ups and downs.

Wisconsin has made one-half credit of PFL a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2028 (see 2023 WI Act 60). The state started requiring its schools to incorporate K-12 PFL curriculum in 2017 (see 2017 WI Act 94). Most local schools in Wisconsin currently have a stand-alone course or an equivalent elective course that fulfills a graduation requirement. See this map to learn about the PFL curriculum in your area.

How can you be a financial literacy champion?

Here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Ensure that your school/district is adopting all six strands of Wisconsin’s K-12 financial literacy standards into instruction.
2. Research what other schools are doing. Wisconsin has many great models!
3. Speak to local businesses to see how they might be interested in helping. Local banks and credit unions are great places to start!
4. Join or plan an activity during Money Smart Wisconsin Week, April 6-12, 2026!

Come up with your own ideas! The possibilities are endless...
 

Questions