APS Collaborating With Community Partners on Financial Literacy Course

First Financial Credit Union has pledged $1 million to cover the cost

Balancing a checkbook. Understanding why payday loans may not be the best idea. Knowing how mortgages work.

All of those are important skills for any adult, which is why state lawmakers and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham enacted a law mandating financial literacy education for high schoolers this year. To meet that requirement, the Albuquerque Public Schools Career Connected Learning department is teaming up with two partners.

Stukent software will be providing its interactive financial literacy course. Students will make real-world financial choices and see the consequences through Stukent’s personal finance simulation.

First Financial Credit Union, meanwhile, has pledged over $1 million to fund the $1,500 per year cost per high school in the state of New Mexico. Through its contribution, the credit union hopes to reach over 300 public and private high schools in New Mexico, “enabling students to develop crucial financial skills as part of the state’s new graduation requirement.”

APS officials praised the partnership.

“We at Career Connected Learning have been looking for the solution to training thousands of APS High School students in any given school year, so this couldn't be more timely to meet our district's needs and also aligns with the passage of HB 171 and its financial literacy requirements,” said George Kerr, the district’s Work Based Learning Coordinator.

In a news release, First Financial said the initiative aims to foster a culture of financial responsibility and empowerment that will resonate far beyond the classroom by reaching students in every corner of the state.

“Ensuring that our youth are equipped with the necessary financial skills is vital for their future success,” said Ron Moorehead, CEO of First Financial Credit Union. “By investing in financial literacy education statewide, we are not only fulfilling our commitment to the communities we serve but also contributing to a brighter financial future for generations to come.”