Introduction to Financial Literacy
Kick off the cohort with a deep dive into why financial literacy matters, especially for first-generation students. We break down key vocabulary, introduce the building blocks of personal finance, and set the tone for the journey ahead. Students complete a personal "money audit" to assess where they are today.
Intro to Investing — Stocks, Bonds, Futures & Foreign Exchange
Students enter the market for the first time — for real. This session breaks down the four pillars of investing: stocks, bonds, futures, and foreign exchange. We cover how each instrument works, what drives its value, and how everyday people — not just Wall Street — can participate. Students then launch their own live simulated investment portfolios, making real allocation decisions with virtual capital. From this session forward, portfolios are tracked weekly, with students completing check-in questions on market movements and defending their investment choices in short presentations to the group. By the end of the cohort, every student will have experienced the full cycle of a portfolio — the gains, the dips, and the decisions that define both.
Budgeting & Cash Flow Basics
Students learn how to build and maintain a personal budget using the 50/30/20 rule and zero-based budgeting methods. Through a live simulation, each participant creates a mock monthly budget based on a starter salary in their target career, making the numbers real and immediate.
Banking, Credit & the System That Wasn't Built for You
An honest look at how the U.S. banking and credit system works — and how it has historically disadvantaged communities of color. Students learn how to open and manage bank accounts, how credit scores are calculated, and how to build credit from scratch without falling into traps.
Understanding Debt — Student Loans, Credit Cards & More
Students break down the difference between good and bad debt, learn how interest compounds, and tackle the student loan crisis head-on. We run real numbers on what different loan amounts cost over time and discuss strategies for repayment and avoidance.
What They Don't Say About Saving - Long vs. Short Term
Introduction to index funds, Roth IRAs, and the principle of compound growth. Students participate in hands-on activities in simulated saving scenarios, learning how to make their money work for them steadily over the long term without volatility in the short term.
Career Exploration — Paths You've Never Heard Of
A career panorama session introducing students to roles in financial planning, investment banking, accounting, fintech, and insurance. A panel of professionals from finance backgrounds similar to the students' share their journeys, salary realities, and advice for getting in the door.
Taxes — What They Took and What You Can Get Back
Demystifying the U.S. tax system for first-gen students. We cover W-2s, 1099s, deductions, FAFSA implications, and how to file taxes for free. Students practice reading a pay stub and understanding net vs. gross income in a hands-on exercise.
Entrepreneurship & Side Income — Building Wealth Your Way
Beyond the 9-to-5: students explore entrepreneurship, freelancing, and building multiple income streams. We cover the basics of registering a business, basic business accounting, and the mindset shift required to think like an owner rather than an employee.
Housing, Transportation & Life's Big Financial Decisions
Renting vs. buying. Car loans. Insurance. The financial decisions that define your twenties and thirties. Students work through real-world scenarios — comparing the total cost of renting vs. owning in Phoenix over 10 years and evaluating whether to buy a car or use transit.
Putting It All Together — Your Financial Life Plan
The capstone session. Students present their personal Financial Life Plans — a document they've built across the cohort — and receive feedback from peers and mentors. We celebrate progress, share resources for continued learning, and open doors to the next steps in career and financial development. Certificates awarded.
