2021 Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge from Economics Arkansas
Students work on a simulated budget for a family at the 2019 National Personal Finance Competition.
Arkansas high school students have an opportunity in April to build, apply, and demonstrate their knowledge of money management. Through a personal finance simulation, students apply their classroom education in a statewide competition, showcasing their knowledge of earning income, saving, using credit, and investing.
The Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge will take place virtually on April 14, 2021 and is hosted in partnership by Economics Arkansas and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Little Rock branch.
No advance qualification or test is required for students participating. Teams will receive a fictitious case study on March 31 and have from March 31 – April 7 to collaborate and prepare a 6-minute PowerPoint presentation making suggestions based on the case study information. Recommendations should address financial topics such as decreasing debts, reaching a savings goal, minimizing taxes or other related subjects.
The top 3 teams will be notified by April 8 and will present their findings live to a panel of judges on April 14. Teams will be scored in content knowledge, teamwork and communication skills/overall effect. The first-place winning team will split $500 and advance to the National Personal Finance Challenge to be held in May.
First Security Bank is serving as a lead sponsor for the event; “As a banker, I am so pleased to make this commitment to…the 2021 Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge for the state’s high school students. Learning early in life how to budget money and how to set financial goals helps every Arkansan build better futures for themselves and their families,” said Reynie Rutledge, President and CEO of First Security.
Economic education is real-life education because all young people will grow up and become part of the marketplace. The Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge is not only a way for Arkansas students to apply that classroom education, but also network with and learn from other students from around the state.
Teacher Resources & Important Dates
Competition Open: March 31 – April 7
Final Event: Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 9:00-12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtually
Who: Teams of 3-4 high school students
Cost: Registration is FREE
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Each teacher may register one team for this competition.
To register a team, view a complete set of rules, and a sample case study, visit the Economics Arkansas website.
