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Arkansas personal finance standards and requirements

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Arkansas requires covered public high school students to earn credit before graduation in a grade 9-12 course containing the State Board-approved Personal Finance Standards. The current 22-credit diploma framework includes 0.5 credit of Economics with Personal Finance, while DESE also identifies approved mathematics, Advanced Placement, career-focus, and dedicated Financial Literacy courses that embed the statutory standards. Arkansas therefore requires personal finance for graduation but not one universally titled stand-alone course.[1][2][3][8]

Last reviewed September 20, 2026

View official sources
Stand-alone course
No
Graduation requirement
Yes
Credit / duration
Credit in a grade 9-12 course containing the Personal and Family Finance Standards; the current diploma framework includes 0.5 credit of Economics with Personal Finance, while other approved implementing courses carry 0.5 to 1.5 credits
Effective / cohort
2017-18 entering grade-9 cohort

What Arkansas requires

Arkansas has a student-completion and graduation requirement, not merely optional financial literacy standards. Act 480 applies to students who entered grade 9 in 2017-18 or later, and Act 466 later clarified that the qualifying course may be taken in grade 9 as well as grades 10-12.[1][2]

The current diploma framework lists 0.5 credit of ADE-approved Economics with Personal Finance. Separately, DESE's statutory implementation page lists seven preapproved courses containing the 2017 standards; another approved course may be used only after state course approval.[8][3]

Approved implementing courses carry different credit values: Financial Literacy and the economics options carry one-half credit, Quantitative Reasoning and AP Business with Personal Finance carry one credit, and Financial Planning carries one and one-half credits. The requirement is therefore integrated rather than a universal stand-alone personal finance course mandate.[3]

The State Board approved the dedicated 2017 Personal Finance Standards on December 14, 2017. They contain 38 expectations across employment and income, college and career planning, credit, money management, insurance, and saving and investing. The later 2022 Economics with Personal Finance framework is the current required economics course framework, not a replacement for the complete cross-course statutory standards.[5][4][6][7]

The current diploma framework includes 0.5 credit of Economics with Personal Finance. DESE also lists approved courses with the 2017 Personal Finance Standards embedded; using another approved course requires state course approval. The alternate pathway for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities includes 0.5 credit of Economics, Personal Finance, and Financial Literacy Exploration.[1][2][3][8]
Grades / placement
Grades 9-12
Responsible agency
Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Assessment required
Not located
Evidence
8 primary sources

Implementation timeline

  1. Milestone 01

    Act 480 established the personal and family finance standards and the course-credit requirement for the entering grade-9 class of 2017-18.[1]

  2. Milestone 02

    The requirement began with students entering grade 9.[1]

  3. Milestone 03

    Act 466 allowed students to earn the qualifying credit in grade 9 as well as grades 10-12.[2]

  4. Milestone 04

    The State Board approved the 38-expectation Personal Finance Standards used to implement Act 480.[5]

  5. Milestone 05

    The State Board adopted revised social studies standards, including the current Economics with Personal Finance course framework.[7]

  6. Milestone 06

    Full implementation of the 2022 social studies standards became required.[7]

Arkansas personal finance standards

The complete list below contains all 38 required personal finance topics currently identified in the controlling state materials. Each topic remains separate so educators and search engines can find the exact requirement.

Official standards document

Personal Finance Standards

Adopted by Arkansas State Board of Education on 2017-12-14.

Open the official document

Arkansas Personal Finance Standards

The complete 2017 State Board-approved framework contains 38 expectations. Asterisks in the official document identify the expectations expressly required when the standards are embedded in another course.

  1. 01
    PF.1.EI.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 3

    Career and job selection

    Explain factors that influence career and job selection.[4]

  2. 02
    PF.1.EI.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 3

    Job search and application

    Locate and apply for a job by completing a search, application, cover letter, resume, and follow-up letter.[4]

  3. 03
    PF.1.EI.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 3

    Job interviews

    Evaluate ways to make a positive impression during a job interview.[4]

  4. 04
    PF.1.EI.4Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 3

    Job offers and benefits

    Compare job offers based on time, income, insurance, retirement, and other employee benefits.[4]

  5. 05
    PF.1.EI.5Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 3

    Workplace success

    Summarize communication, time-management, and basic employer-expectation skills needed in the workplace.[4]

  6. 06
    PF.2.EI.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 4

    Payment methods

    Compare methods by which employees are paid, including direct deposit, paper checks, and payroll cards.[4]

  7. 07
    PF.2.EI.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 4

    Income deductions

    Represent and analyze taxes, deductions, gross pay, and net pay and their effects on income.[4]

  8. 08
    PF.2.EI.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 4

    Compensation structures

    Analyze differences among salary, hourly, commission, and overtime pay.[4]

  9. 09
    PF.2.EI.4Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 4

    Employment forms

    Complete W-4, I-9, medical, life-insurance, and retirement forms.[4]

  10. 10
    PF.3.CCP.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 5

    Career planning

    Explore careers, employment forecasts, and the steps needed to enter a career based on interests or talents.[4]

  11. 11
    PF.3.CCP.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 5

    Work-based experiences

    Explore internships, job shadowing, and other real-world experiences for determining career paths.[4]

  12. 12
    PF.3.CCP.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 5

    Education and training path

    Develop a flowchart for the education, training, applications, aid, and equipment needed for a chosen career.[4]

  13. 13
    PF.4.C.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Fraud and identity theft

    Identify fraud and credit abuse and develop strategies to protect against identity fraud and theft.[4]

  14. 14
    PF.4.C.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Consumer crimes and laws

    Discuss common crimes against consumers and examine federal consumer-protection laws.[4]

  15. 15
    PF.4.C.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Renting and owning

    Compare the advantages and disadvantages of renting and owning a home, including costs, taxes, and insurance.[4]

  16. 16
    PF.4.C.4Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Mortgage costs

    Analyze how interest rates, term length, and credit ratings influence mortgage costs.[4]

  17. 17
    PF.4.C.5Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Credit components

    Compare credit sources and evaluate credit use, scores, costs, problem-solving methods, and overextension risks.[4]

  18. 18
    PF.4.C.6Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Bankruptcy

    Identify types of bankruptcy and evaluate effects on future financial opportunities.[4]

  19. 19
    PF.4.C.7Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 6

    Loans

    Differentiate loans and examine applications, approval, true costs, interest rates, and default consequences.[4]

  20. 20
    PF.5.MM.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 7

    Banking institutions

    Compare banking institutions and the products and services they offer.[4]

  21. 21
    PF.5.MM.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 7

    Account management

    Explore opening and managing checking, savings, and other accounts.[4]

  22. 22
    PF.5.MM.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 7

    Retirement plans

    Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, Social Security, and other retirement plans.[4]

  23. 23
    PF.5.MM.4Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 7

    Household budget

    Analyze expenses to create a household budget covering housing, utilities, food, saving, insurance, taxes, and giving.[4]

  24. 24
    PF.5.MM.5Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 7

    Financial-planning influences

    Examine needs, wants, priorities, values, life stages, and estate planning as influences on financial decisions.[4]

  25. 25
    PF.6.I.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 8

    Insurance and risk

    Analyze the need for insurance in managing risk and how risk affects cost.[4]

  26. 26
    PF.6.I.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 8

    Premiums and deductibles

    Investigate the relationship between insurance premiums and deductibles.[4]

  27. 27
    PF.6.I.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 8

    Auto insurance

    Evaluate auto-insurance options and the factors that affect coverage cost.[4]

  28. 28
    PF.6.I.4Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 8

    Health-related insurance

    Assess health, dental, vision, disability, long-term-care, and other health-related coverage options.[4]

  29. 29
    PF.6.I.5Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 8

    Life insurance

    Analyze term, whole, and other types of life insurance.[4]

  30. 30
    PF.6.I.6Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 8

    Property insurance

    Investigate homeowners, renters, mortgage, and related property-insurance riders.[4]

  31. 31
    PF.7.SI.1Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Interest and financial choices

    Compare the effects of interest rates on saving and borrowing.[4]

  32. 32
    PF.7.SI.2Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Changing interest rates

    Examine how consumers are affected when interest rates rise or fall.[4]

  33. 33
    PF.7.SI.3Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Simple and compound interest

    Calculate simple and compound interest and explain their differences.[4]

  34. 34
    PF.7.SI.4Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Risk and return

    Analyze the relationship between investment risk and return.[4]

  35. 35
    PF.7.SI.5Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Saving tools

    Compare liquidity, interest rates, term length, and other characteristics of saving tools against financial goals.[4]

  36. 36
    PF.7.SI.6Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Financial goals

    Explain goal setting as part of financial planning and construct a well-written goal.[4]

  37. 37
    PF.7.SI.7Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Investments and diversification

    Research annuities, bonds, money-market funds, mutual funds, real estate, and stocks and consider diversification.[4]

  38. 38
    PF.7.SI.8Grades 9-12 approved course pathwaysPDF page 9

    Investment regulation

    Understand the regulation of savings and investments.[4]

Relevant law, rule, or board action

A.C.A. § 6-16-135; Act 480 of 2017

Personal Finance and Job Readiness Act

Defines the required personal and family finance content and requires covered public high school students to earn credit in a course containing the standards before graduation.[1]

Act 466 of 2019

Personal and Family Finance Standards

Amends section 6-16-135 so the qualifying course may be taken in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12.[2]

Notes for teachers and curriculum leaders

  • Use one of DESE's approved courses with the personal finance standards already embedded, or submit a course-approval request when embedding the standards in another approved course.[3]
  • Distinguish the current 0.5-credit Economics with Personal Finance diploma course from the separate statutory requirement, whose approved implementing courses range from one-half credit to one and one-half credits.[8][3]

Official sources

  1. 1
    Act 480 of 2017, Personal Finance and Job Readiness ActArkansas General Assembly · bill · published 2017-03-14 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: A.C.A. § 6-16-135; Act pages 1-3Supports: required content, student completion, entering 2017-18 cohort, credit in a course
  2. 2
    Act 466 of 2019, Personal and Family Finance StandardsArkansas General Assembly · bill · published 2019-03-14 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Section 1, amendment to A.C.A. § 6-16-135(c)Supports: grade 9 option, grades 9-12, covered cohort
  3. 3
    Personal Finance Standards and Approved CoursesArkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education · agency guidance · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Personal Finance Standards; Approved Courses; Embedding Standards in Additional CoursesSupports: approved pathways, credit values, integrated delivery, course approval, grades 9-12
  4. 4
    Personal Finance StandardsArkansas Department of Education · standards · published 2017 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: PDF pages 2-9, PF.1.EI.1-PF.7.SI.8Supports: complete 38-expectation framework, embedding requirements, employment, credit, money management, insurance, saving and investing
  5. 5
    Arkansas State Board of Education Minutes — December 14, 2017Arkansas State Board of Education · board action · published 2017-12-14 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Agenda item B-3, PDF page 7Supports: standards adoption, Act 480 implementation, stand-alone and embedded options, 0.5-credit dedicated option
  6. 6
    Economics with Personal Finance Academic StandardsArkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education · standards · published 2022-12 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: PDF pages 11-16, E.6.ECON.PF.1-E.6.ECON.PF.9Supports: complete course standards, personal finance content, one-semester course
  7. 7
    Social Studies Standards and CoursesArkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education · agency guidance · published 2022-12 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: 2022 Approved Social Studies Standards and Personal Finance Standards and CoursesSupports: board adoption, 2024-25 implementation, current standards document
  8. 8
    Arkansas Graduation RequirementsArkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education · agency guidance · published 2025-12-03 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Social Studies and Other RequirementsSupports: current 0.5-credit Economics with Personal Finance course, current graduation requirement, grades 9-12, alternate pathway

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Frequently asked questions

Does Arkansas require financial literacy to graduate?

Yes. Covered public high school students must earn credit before graduation in a grade 9-12 course that includes Arkansas's personal and family finance standards.[1][2]

Does Arkansas require a stand-alone personal finance course?

No. Arkansas approves both dedicated Financial Literacy and Economics with Personal Finance courses and courses in mathematics, AP economics, financial planning, or business with the standards embedded.[3]

How much personal finance credit does Arkansas require?

The current diploma framework includes 0.5 credit of Economics with Personal Finance. The separate statutory requirement is credit in a qualifying course, and DESE's approved implementing courses range from 0.5 to 1.5 credits.[8][3]

Which Arkansas students are covered?

The rule applies to public high school students who entered grade 9 in the 2017-18 school year or later.[1][2]

What do Arkansas personal finance standards cover?

The 38 State Board-approved expectations cover employment and income, college and career planning, credit, money management, insurance, and saving and investing.[4][5]