Yes, Gen Z is Learning Financial Literacy (At Least in These States)

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Gen Z financial literacy cover image
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Fiscal Responsibility

Teenagers aren't exactly known for their financial literacy and fiscal responsibility. But many U.S. states are trying to change that by making Gen Z the most money-savvy generation to graduate high school.


Pennsylvania just passed a law requiring high school students to take a personal finance course, becoming the 25th state to do so. According to Next Gen Personal Finance, 53% of American high school students will have access to a financial literacy class.


Think your state is teaching Zoomers how credit reports work and just how much money Uncle Sam will start deducting from their paychecks? Here are all 25 states where that's now (or will soon be) a requirement. 

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Alabama
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1. Alabama

The Career Preparedness course has been a requirement for high school graduation in Alabama since 2013. It covers a number of topics, including managing finances and budgeting, saving and investing, and risk management.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Connecticut
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Florida
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3. Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act in 2022 that requires high school students to take a standalone personal finance course before graduating. Students this year are the first class to have the requirement.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Georgia
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Indiana

5. Indiana

It's not just public school students in Indiana that require the completion of a personal finance course before graduating, but charter and state-accredited schools as well. It'll start with the class of 2028.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Iowa
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6. Iowa

The graduating class of 2023 in Iowa was the first to be required to take financial literacy to get a diploma. It was signed into law back in 2019, but had to be pushed back a couple years.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Kansas
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Louisiana
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Michigan
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Minnesota
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Mississippi
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11. Mississippi

A year long College and Career Readiness course is already required for high school graduation in Mississippi. Financial literacy is one of the nine units covered in the wide-ranging course, along with how to apply for financial aid and prepare for a career.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Missouri
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12. Missouri

Missouri has been requiring a half-credit of a personal finance course since way back in 2006, so students there have had an advantage over their peers. New standards were introduced in 2017 and implemented a couple years later.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Nebraska
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13. Nebraska

If you're currently a senior in a Nebraska public school, you're going to have to take the financial literacy course in order to graduate. The requirement is part of the Financial Literacy Act signed into law in 2021.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in New Hampshire
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in North Carolina
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Ohio
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Oregon
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Pennsylvania
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18. Pennsylvania

A personal finance course will be mandatory for Pennsylvania students in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The requirement is part of a recently signed bill, and will go into effect in the fall of 2026.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Rhode Island
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in South Carolina
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Tennessee
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Utah
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An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in Virginia
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23. Virginia

Back in 2009, Virginia implemented a law that required personal finance education for high school students. Since 2011, students have had to take a one-credit course in economics and personal finance.

An AI-generated illustration showing the concept of financial literacy in West Virginia
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Wisconsin Financial Literacy
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