Our Programs

Learn more about our financial empowerment programming for students, families, teachers and schools.

For Students

CTFS partners with schools to offer financial empowerment courses and other complementary opportunities for high school students. See if your school participates.

Financial Empowerment Course

Our free programs teach students skills like budgeting, banking, credit, college financing, insurance, investing, entrepreneurship, and career development. Lessons, curated from NextGenPersonalFinance, are rich with activities that simulate real world financial decision-making.

Ask for CTFS to come to your school
Summer Experienceship Program

Students gain real-world experience and professional skills during exciting summer programs. Participate in a paid rotational learning internship in the Connecticut business community. Express your interest by clicking the button below and we’ll let you know when the application process opens.

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Business Pitch Competition

Students create business plans to present to their class. School-level champions advance to the semi-final round and finally, top finalists compete in the Citywide Business Pitch competition. Students receive feedback from local business leaders and the opportunity to win a $1,000 investment in their business!

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Entrepreneurship Workshops

These workshops help students prepare for the Business Pitch Competition. Volunteers from the local business community guide students in refining their business plan, sharpen their business pitch, and grow their confidence to present their idea during the Business Pitch Competition.

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What Students Are Saying

I think this should always be a class and I wish I had it earlier on because it is very useful and opens your mind to the real world…classes like this should be offered in every school.

Abdourahim Sylla, Student

For Parents

Register for our free Adult Financial Empowerment Workshops for parents and care-givers of high school students.

Adult-centered financial empowerment workshops

Our six-week, virtual financial empowerment workshop is designed to give parents, caregivers and school staff the information they need to achieve financial wellness. Classes cover budgeting, borrowing, credit, insurance, real estate and building equity, paying for college, investing and more. In addition, the first 20 people who register for each workshop series receive a $250 contribution to their child’s 529 or other qualifying education savings account once they have attended all six sessions. Our workshops are offered 2x/year (Fall & Spring).

Register

What Parents Are Saying

“I liked learning about bonds, stocks, mutual funds, the detailed information about car insurance such as liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision, and the best was the 529. I wish that I started using that about 7 years ago. ”

Adult Financial Empowerment Workshop Participant  

For Schools & Teachers

Launch a financial empowerment course at your school! Connecticut Financial Scholars provides everything a school needs from curriculum and professional Development for teachers to exciting awards and incentives for students.

Our Program Includes

Comprehensive curriculum designed in accordance with the National Standards for Personal Financial Education.

Activities-rich unit and lesson plans including vital simulations of real world financial decision-making.

Professional development and implementation 
support through 30 hours of paid continuing education credits per year.

Everything needed to teach students how to make smart financial decisions and build a strong financial future.

What We Provide

Proven, research-based curriculum materials (i.e., full scope and sequence to support daily instruction: unit plans, lesson plans, activities, and assessments).

Professional development and professional learning community sessions for participating teachers.

Entrepreneurship workshops, supported by local business leaders and university student volunteers.
Stipends for teachers, awards and incentives for students.
School staff access to our adult-centered financial empowerment workshops.

School Requirements

Must be a public high school located in the state of Connecticut.
Commitment to create a dedicated personal finance course.

Teacher who will be trained to teach the class and support enrichment activities.

Participation in periodic evaluation of program’s success through student assessment data.

Use of school facilities and collaboration on school-hosted student events as needed.
Bring CTFS to Your School

Are you a school leader or teacher
interested in bringing Connecticut Financial
Scholars to your school?

Bring CTFS to Your School  

What Teachers Are Saying

“Financial Scholars anticipated many of the obstacles and challenges that I would face in transitioning to a role as a Personal Finance & Entrepreneurship teacher. They've offered practical and constructive guidance every step of the way.”

Michael Pacinelli, Teacher