Student Log In  Teacher Log In

Sarah Molloy is Certified

Financial Basics for High School is a financial literacy program for students across North Carolina. In order to earn certification, each student must complete the 40,000+ word curriculum with a final grade of 100% correct in each subject area.

Students typically spend between four and six hours earning Financial Basics certification.

CTE logo

Financial Basics is recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a Career and Technical Education credential.

Coursework Summary

Financial Basics for High School is covers key concepts that young adults need to make healthy financial decisions, whether they choose to continue their education in college or enter the workforce. Topics are mapped to NC financial literacy standards.

  Borrowing and Credit

Your decisions about when to borrow, how to borrow, and how to manage debt affect more of your life than you may expect.

  • Credit Reports and Scores
  • Risks and Rewards of Credit Cards
  • Building and Maintaining Credit


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39246
November 13, 2017

  Buying a Home

The pros and cons of buying a home, including a comparison with renting.

  • Buying a Home
  • Borrowing for a Home
  • Buying Versus Renting a Home


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39173
November 13, 2017

  Choices About Money

Financial decisions almost always involve a trade off - getting something now usually means giving up something else.

  • Choices About Money
  • Understanding Your Financial Values
  • Setting Financial Goals


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39161
November 13, 2017

  Compound Interest

Einstein said "compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world." Was he right?

  • Compound Interest – Friend and Foe
  • How Interest Works
  • Fees Versus Interest


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39163
November 13, 2017

  Earning a Living

Your choices about careers and employer benefits are some of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make.

  • Colleges and Career Choices
  • Earning Money
  • Employer Benefits
  • Making Decisions About Employee Benefits
  • Salary Expectations Versus Reality


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39165
November 13, 2017

  Education and Financial Success

Why college is a great investment, even though it has an increasingly high cost.

  • Education and Financial Success
  • How Financial Aid Works
  • Types of Financial Aid
  • Repaying College Debt


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39164
November 13, 2017

  Financial Health

What does it mean to be financially healthy? How do you measure it? Let's take a look.

  • Financial Health for Students
  • Measuring Net Worth


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39160
November 13, 2017

  Financial Services

A look at commonly used financial services and accounts, including banks, credit unions, and alternative services.

  • Financial Service Providers
  • Checking Accounts for Students
  • Debit Cards Versus Credit Cards
  • Savings Account Basics


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39167
November 13, 2017

  Managing Financial Accounts

How to get the most for financial services while minimizing fees and protecting your personal information.

  • Managing Financial Accounts
  • Protecting Your Personal Information
  • Minimizing Account Fees


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39168
November 13, 2017

  Planning for Your Financial Future

Learning the "how" and "why" of short, medium, and long-term financial planning.

  • Planning for Your Financial Future
  • Investing to Grow Wealth
  • Types of Investments
  • Saving for Retirement


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39174
November 13, 2017

  Protecting Your Financial Identity

Steps you can take to minimize the chances of identity theft.

  • Identity Theft
  • Reading Your Credit Reports
  • Protecting Your Personal Information


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39169
November 13, 2017

  Protecting Your Success With Insurance

Understanding how insurance plays an important role in our financial lives.

  • Protecting Your Success With Insurance
  • How Insurance Works
  • Car Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Students and Health Insurance


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39175
November 13, 2017

  Recognizing Financial Problems

One in five Americans have bad credit, which is commonly defined as a credit score below 620.

  • Understanding Chronic Debt
  • Recognizing the Warning Signs of Financial Trouble
  • Debt Management and Reduction
  • Repairing Credit


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39166
November 13, 2017

  Renting an Apartment

Understanding your rights and responsibilities when renting an apartment.

  • Renting an Apartment
  • Renter’s Insurance
  • Roommates and Money


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39170
November 13, 2017

  Smart Spending

As a financially capable individual, how you choose to spend money should reflect your goals, values, and priorities.

  • Smart Spending
  • How to Track Spending
  • Debt and the Pressure to Spend


 100% Correct
 Certificate ID: MO39245
November 13, 2017

Financial Basics