The Money Smart for Young Adults (MSYA) instructor-led curriculum provides participants with practical knowledge, skills-building opportunities, and resources they can use to manage their finances with confidence. Instructors can use it to deliver unbiased, relevant, and accurate financial education whether they are new or experienced trainers.
This newly released version of MSYA include these updates:
- Target age range for this version is now 16-24 year olds (changed from ages 12-20 year olds)
- Uses Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) curriculum review tool to update the content (consumerfinance.gov)
- New pre- and post-knowledge assessments
- New look and feel of the curricula and format
- Includes more interactive exercises
The MSYA curriculum consists of 12 modules that cover basic financial topics. Each module guides instructors on what to say and do. The materials are available for immediate download below, and Money Smart – Teach – For Young Adults (catalog.fdic.gov).
If you are still using the prior version of Money Smart for Young Adults and need assistance, please contact us at communityaffairs@fdic.gov.
What's inside Money Smart for Young Adults?
You will find that Money Smart for Young Adults has:
- Information that’s updated, relevant, and informed by research. For example, the curriculum features information and scenarios relevant to young adults.
- Segments that offer you options to make training relevant. The curriculum is divided into 12 modules, each on an important financial topic, that are subdivided into sections. Instructors can present the modules in any order or combination depending upon an audience’s interests and knowledge.
- An emphasis on real-life skills and choices. Money Smart for Young Adults provides participants with practical knowledge and resources they can use to manage their finances.
- Realistic scenarios. Short scenarios featuring consumers in a variety of financial situations provide opportunities to practice using financial knowledge and skills with confidence.
- An expanded array of practical tools and resources. “Try It” activities give participants opportunities to practice what they learned in a variety of contexts. “Apply It” activities help participants apply what they have learned to their own lives, either during or after the training.
- Key takeaways. A key takeaway sums up the most important message from each section.
- A structure that makes it easy to select relevant materials. The curriculum has 12 modules, each on an important financial topic. The modules are subdivided into sections. Instructors can present the modules, and sections within modules, in any order or combination depending upon an audience’s interests and knowledge. The Guide to Presenting Money Smart for Young Adults includes roadmaps to help select relevant topics.
Tools to help you plan your training
Start by reviewing the Guide to Presenting Money Smart for Young Adults (catalog.fdic.gov). It includes practical tips for planning, marketing, and delivering training. It also includes information to make training accessible and welcoming for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Each of the 12 Money Smart for Young Adults modules includes:
- Instructor Guides that include what you need to prepare and deliver Money Smart training, including easy to follow cues, script, and interactive exercises.
- PowerPoint Slides that can help you present training content in an engaging manner.
- Participant Guides with tools and information that participants can use during your training and afterwards.
The curriculum also includes an Instructor Supplement: Real-Life Money Situations for Young Adults (catalog.fdic.gov), which provides five scenarios featuring young adults thinking about financial decisions.
The 12 Money Smart for Young Adults Training Modules
The files are listed below and are available in the FDIC Catalog (catalog.fdic.gov).
Click arrows next to headers to sort in Ascending or Descending order.
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Additional Links
Money Smart Alliance
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Money Smart News
FDIC’s newsletter featuring tips, updates and success stories for financial educators.
Money Smart News for Kids
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Teacher Online Resource Center
Here you will find tools to help you teach financial education including lesson plans, videos, and other resources.
Train-the-Trainer Program
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Training & Events
Announcements of upcoming Money Smart events for Train-the-Trainer and Small Business events.