A list of innovative financial education and banking resources to prepare students for the workforce and life. These tools foster long-term financial capability.
Prefer a printable copy? Download the Nebraska Financial Education Resources Guide for Teachers (PDF) to print, share with colleagues, or keep for offline reference.
State guidance and requirements
The Nebraska Department of Education provides Financial Literacy Guidance (PDF, 162.22 KB), which outlines multiple Nebraska curriculum examples.
Nebraska Revised Statutes 79-3001 to 79-3004 outline the requirements for financial literacy instruction.
Partner organizations
Nebraska Council on Economic Education
With five centers for economic education, the Nebraska Council on Economic Education provides resources for professional development, graduate education, workshops, classroom activities, and academic competitions for teachers and students. Contact these leaders for more information or to support the Council’s work, such as by sponsoring an event.
Dr. Jennifer Davidson
President, Nebraska Council on Economic Education
jdavidson2@unl.edu
Dr. Jamie Wagner
Director, Omaha Center, Nebraska Council on Economic Education
jfwagner@unomaha.edu
Junior Achievement – Nebraska
Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization that teaches K–12 students financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Nebraska is served by regional chapters including Junior Achievement of the Midlands (Omaha), Junior Achievement of Lincoln, Junior Achievement of Kearney, and Junior Achievement of Grand Island. Junior Achievement’s learning experiences promote transferable skills and competencies students need for economic opportunity and mobility.
Mrs. Roxanne Mulvey
President, JA of the Midlands
mulvey@jaomaha.net
Toni Rupe
President and CEO, JA of Lincoln, Kearney and Grand Island
trupe@jalincoln.org
Nebraska Money Menu and Money Menu Poster
Our tailored menu offers a comprehensive selection of financial, career, and stability tools designed to support both teachers and students.
- Two-sided Nebraska Money Menu for distribution to families via email or resource webpages.
- Nebraska Money Menu poster for display in classrooms and school common areas.
Experiential Financial Education Model Plan for Nebraska Students
- Review the Nebraska Money Menu and the Nebraska Money Menu poster.
- Open a bank account.
- Understand free credit reports and learn about credit and debt.
- Complete their tax return if appropriate (about 25% of high school students need to file).
- Explore college, career pathway resources, and training and jobs resources.
- Review financial aid options and fill out the FAFSA.
- Learn how to develop a small business, including how to access small business counseling.
- Review high school workforce development programs.
- Understand investment strategies through immersive simulations.
Volunteer opportunity for students: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
There are 121 high school VITA programs nationwide. These programs prepare about 14,000 tax returns a year, bringing over $20 million in refunds and $2 million in tax preparation fee savings to low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
Schools don’t need to host a site; high school students can volunteer elsewhere. Contact EITC and TCAN to learn about the many volunteer opportunities.
Ed Leahy
Director, Omaha Earned Income Tax Coalition (EITC)
edl@fhasinc.org
Katharina Stokes
Director, Tax Credit Alliance of NE (TCAN) VITA Coalition
katharina.stokes@unl.edu
Financial education resources
Nebraska Council for Economic Education (NCEE)
- NCEE Curriculum Resources
- NCEE Teacher Resources
- NCEE Student Resources
- Nebraska Economics Challenge
- NCEE School Savings Program
- Nebraska Personal Finance Challenge
- The Stock Market Game
- Personal Finance Challenge Nebraska
FDIC teacher resources
Other resources for teachers and students
- Nebraska Career Connections
- Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office
- Nebraska HS Personal Finance Curriculum
- OCC Financial Literacy Resource Directory
- Federal Reserve Teaching Resources
- CFPB Resources for Financial Educators
- MyMoney.gov – Resources for Educators
- Educator Resources – Jump$tart Coalition
Workforce, career, and college resources
- Career Exploration Resources – Dept. of Education
- Occupation Finder – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Careers and Career Info – CareerOneStop
- American Job Centers – U.S. Dept. of Labor
- College Navigator – National Center for Education Statistics
- Colleges – Nebraska.gov
- FAFSA® Application – Federal Student Aid
- Federal Student Aid
Bank–school partnerships
Research has shown that having a bank account boosts the effect of student financial education. Consider inviting banks to support school financial literacy programs.
Bankers can be guest speakers
- Bankers attend a classroom for one or two specific subject-matter sessions (credit, taxes, investing, etc.), often through initiatives like Teach Children to Save, April’s Financial Literacy Month, America Saves Week, and Get Smart About Credit Day.
Bankers can serve as guest teachers and mentors
- Bankers visit classrooms for multiple sessions teaching a curriculum such as FDIC Money Smart for Young People or Money Smart for Small Business.
Bankers can establish in-school savings and banking programs
- Banks set up physical, student-run branches in schools or at lunch, encouraging regular savings habits and giving students access to in-school ATMs. Bankers can also review such resources at the Youth Banking Resource Center.
Benefits of in-class banker speakers for teachers
- Establishing an experiential classroom
Bankers as guest speakers provide students with authentic financial literacy, career exposure, and real-world insights into business and finance. They help bridge theoretical concepts with practical application, foster community connections, and inspire students regarding career paths.
- Promoting long-term economic health
Communities with higher financial literacy see increased rates of saving, stronger credit profiles, higher rates of homeownership, and lower vulnerability to financial fraud.
Benefits of in-class bankers for students
- Real-world perspective
Bankers bring authentic, up-to-date examples of how interest rates, loans, and checking accounts function outside of a textbook.
- Fewer financial mistakes and less debt
Early instruction on how credit and borrowing work helps students understand compound interest, avoid high-interest traps, and lower their risk of default or unmanageable credit card debt.
- Confidence with banking systems
Bankers help students build positive relationships with financial institutions, so they feel comfortable opening accounts and managing money as adults.
- Inspiration and career awareness
Guest speakers and bank–school partnerships can spark interest in business, finance, and career paths that students might not have considered.