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The NEFE High School Financial Planning Program uses contemporary materials to teach the basics of personal finance to young people while they are developing habits and attitudes about money that will influence them for the rest of their lives. Source: The National Endowment for Financial Education Credit unions that are active in Michigan high schools teaching personal finance primarily use the NEFE curriculum. According to NEFE, as little as 10 hours of classroom instruction, such as that provided through the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program, can affect significant knowledge and behavioral changes in how teens handle their money. Source: Michigan Credit Union League Michigan credit unions provided $187.7 million in direct financial benefits to its 4.42 million members during the 12 months ending in June 2005. This is equivalent to about $43 per member. Source: Credit Union National Association 43% of Michigan credit unions surveyed hosted or coordinated at least one community involvement event. Of these, the average credit union hosted or coordinated 7 such events. Source: Michigan Credit Union League

Credit union professionals are active in Michigan schools teaching some 40,000 students each year about personal finance. At the high school level, credit unions use a curriculum called the High School Financial Planning Program, or HSFPP. It’s a six unit program created by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) that covers spending and saving, wants vs. needs and credit as well as other topics.

To help credit union professionals – as well as teachers -- use this curriculum effectively, the MCUL partners with MSU Extension to host FREE HSFPP trainings. Several trainings were held in 2007, educating more than 375 teachers and credit union professionals on how to employ this curriculum.

Testimonials from the Trainings
“ Thanks for giving me tips and resources to continue helping students!”

“ Thank you! I knew NEFE was out there, but needed someone to explain it to me.”

“ Very useful information, which will help in my class.”

“ Thank you for inviting me to this worthwhile training!”

“ Every graduate should have to complete a course in Consumer Ed or pass a test before graduating because this is information they will use for the rest of their lives.”