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Connecticut personal finance standards and requirements

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Connecticut requires students in the graduating class of 2027 and later to earn one-half credit in personal financial management and financial literacy. The credit may count toward humanities, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or electives within the state's 25-credit minimum. Connecticut does not mandate one universal stand-alone course: districts may use aligned existing courses, mastery-based learning, capstones, work-based learning, independent study, online coursework, or other approved credit-bearing pathways.[1][3][4]

Last reviewed September 20, 2026

View official sources
Stand-alone course
No
Graduation requirement
Yes
Credit / duration
0.5 credit
Effective / cohort
2027

What Connecticut requires

Connecticut's financial literacy law establishes a student-completion and graduation requirement, not merely a local course-offering obligation. Beginning with the class of 2027, students must earn one-half credit in personal financial management and financial literacy as part of the statewide 25-credit diploma minimum.[1][2]

The half credit may be applied to humanities, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or electives. This flexibility changes where the credit is counted but does not eliminate the required personal finance subject credit or add another half credit to the 25-credit total.[1]

Connecticut's State Board of Education adopted the current personal financial management and financial literacy standards on May 4, 2022. The standards contain 34 performance indicators spanning money, taxes, budgeting, banking, credit, investing, insurance, postsecondary financing, retirement, and consumer protection.[5][4]

The requirement is not a universal stand-alone-course mandate. CSDE identifies multiple possible course codes and permits credit through aligned existing courses, mastery-based learning, capstones, online coursework, independent study, work-based learning, and postsecondary articulation. The controlling graduation requirement remains Connecticut General Statutes section 10-221a as amended by Public Act 23-21.[3][1][2]

The required subject credit may count toward humanities, STEM, or electives. CSDE permits aligned existing courses and multiple mastery-, work-, online-, and experience-based pathways, so no universal stand-alone course is required.[1][2][3]
Grades / placement
High school
Responsible agency
Connecticut State Department of Education
Assessment required
Not located
Evidence
6 primary sources

Implementation timeline

  1. Milestone 01

    The State Board of Education adopted Connecticut's personal financial management and financial literacy standards.[5]

  2. Milestone 02

    The governor signed Public Act 23-21, adding the half-credit graduation requirement.[6]

  3. Milestone 03

    CSDE published implementation guidance describing flexible course and mastery-based pathways for the required half credit.[3]

  4. Milestone 04

    The half-credit personal financial management and financial literacy graduation requirement first applies.[1]

Connecticut personal finance standards

The complete list below contains all 34 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

Connecticut Standards for Personal Financial Management & Financial Literacy

Adopted by Connecticut State Board of Education on 2022-05-04.

Open the official document

Personal financial management and financial literacy standards

The State Board's adopted framework contains the following 34 performance indicators for Connecticut's personal financial management and financial literacy instruction.

  1. 01
    FI:058High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 1

    Forms of financial exchange

    Explain common forms of financial exchange and how consumers use them.[4]

  2. 02
    FI:059High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 1

    Types of currency

    Identify forms of currency used in financial transactions.[4]

  3. 03
    FI:060High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 1

    Functions of money

    Describe money's functions as a medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value.[4]

  4. 04
    FI:061High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF pages 1-2

    Income and compensation

    Describe sources of income and compensation and how work choices affect earnings.[4]

  5. 05
    FI:062High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 2

    Time value of money

    Explain how time, interest, and compounding change the value of money.[4]

  6. 06
    FI:002High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 2

    Purpose and importance of credit

    Explain why consumers use credit and how credit affects financial choices.[4]

  7. 07
    FI:063High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 2

    Legal responsibilities for financial products

    Explain consumer legal responsibilities associated with financial products and services.[4]

  8. 08
    FI:270High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 3

    Saving and investing

    Explain the need to save and invest for future goals and financial security.[4]

  9. 09
    FI:065High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 3

    Financial goals

    Set measurable financial goals and connect them to planning decisions.[4]

  10. 10
    FI:066High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 3

    Personal budget

    Develop a personal budget that accounts for income, expenses, saving, and priorities.[4]

  11. 11
    FI:562High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 3

    Personal net worth

    Determine personal net worth by comparing assets and liabilities.[4]

  12. 12
    FI:067High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF pages 3-4

    Tax liabilities

    Explain the nature of tax liabilities and their effect on personal income.[4]

  13. 13
    FI:068High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 4

    Pay stubs

    Interpret earnings, deductions, and net pay shown on a pay stub.[4]

  14. 14
    FI:560High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 4

    Writing checks

    Correctly prepare checks and related payment records.[4]

  15. 15
    FI:069High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 4

    Financial records

    Maintain personal financial records for informed money management.[4]

  16. 16
    FI:070High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 4

    Balancing an account

    Balance a bank account by reconciling personal and institution records.[4]

  17. 17
    FI:567High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 5

    Charitable giving

    Explain the nature of charitable giving and its place in a financial plan.[4]

  18. 18
    FI:782High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 5

    Cost of credit

    Calculate the cost of credit, including interest and fees.[4]

  19. 19
    FI:071High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 5

    Wise use of credit

    Demonstrate responsible use of credit and borrowing.[4]

  20. 20
    FI:072High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 5

    Credit history

    Validate and monitor credit history and recognize its financial consequences.[4]

  21. 21
    FI:783High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF pages 5-6

    Responsible financial decisions

    Use relevant information and tradeoffs to make responsible financial decisions.[4]

  22. 22
    FI:073High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 6

    Identity-theft protection

    Protect personal and financial information against identity theft.[4]

  23. 23
    FI:565High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 6

    Paying bills

    Apply reliable practices for paying bills accurately and on time.[4]

  24. 24
    FI:625High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 6

    Consumer loans

    Apply for a consumer loan and evaluate terms and borrower obligations.[4]

  25. 25
    FI:568High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF pages 6-7

    Debt control

    Use strategies to control, reduce, and avoid unmanageable debt.[4]

  26. 26
    FI:074High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 7

    Income-tax forms

    Prepare basic personal income-tax forms using appropriate records.[4]

  27. 27
    FI:831High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 7

    Financing college

    Discuss grants, scholarships, savings, work, and borrowing options for college.[4]

  28. 28
    FI:569High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF pages 7-8

    Retirement planning

    Discuss retirement-planning needs and common sources of retirement income.[4]

  29. 29
    FI:075High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 8

    Financial-service providers

    Describe types of financial-service providers and their roles.[4]

  30. 30
    FI:076High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 8

    Selecting a provider

    Discuss costs, services, protections, and access when choosing a financial-service provider.[4]

  31. 31
    FI:077High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF pages 8-9

    Investments

    Explain common types of investments and their risk, return, and liquidity characteristics.[4]

  32. 32
    FI:081High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 9

    Insurance

    Describe insurance as a tool for transferring and managing financial risk.[4]

  33. 33
    FI:571High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 9

    Insurance needs

    Determine appropriate insurance needs based on risks, responsibilities, and life stage.[4]

  34. 34
    PD:154High school personal financial management and financial literacyPDF page 9

    Personal banking services

    Describe personal banking products and services used to manage money.[4]

Relevant law, rule, or board action

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221a(d); Public Act 23-21

High school graduation credit requirements

Requires students in the class of 2027 and later to complete one-half credit in personal financial management and financial literacy, countable toward humanities, STEM, or electives.[1]

Notes for teachers and curriculum leaders

  • Schedule the required half credit for students graduating in 2027 and later, and document whether it is applied to humanities, STEM, or elective credit within the 25-credit minimum.[1][3]
  • Use the State Board-adopted performance indicators as the standards framework; the CSDE model course and resource kit are implementation supports rather than a substitute for the statutory credit requirement.[4][3]

Official sources

  1. 1
    Chapter 170, Boards of Education: Section 10-221aConnecticut General Assembly · statute · published 2026 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: § 10-221a(d), minimum credits and class-of-2027 provisionSupports: graduation requirement, half credit, first affected class, humanities, STEM, or elective treatment, 25-credit total
  2. 2
    Public Act No. 23-21, An Act Concerning Financial Literacy InstructionConnecticut General Assembly · bill · published 2023-07-20 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Sections 1-2, amendments to § 10-221a; effective-date clauseSupports: enactment, July 1, 2023 effective date, half-credit requirement, class of 2027, credit placement
  3. 3
    CSDE Financial Literacy Course Kit: Guidance for Design, Development, and ImplementationConnecticut State Department of Education · agency guidance · published 2024-03 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: PDF pages 1-3, statutory requirement, possible course codes, accumulation of credit, and flexible pathwaysSupports: agency implementation guidance, half credit, class of 2027, integrated and alternative delivery, local course design
  4. 4
    Connecticut Standards for Personal Financial Management & Financial LiteracyConnecticut State Department of Education · standards · published 2022-05-04 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: PDF pages 1-9, performance indicators FI:058 through PD:154Supports: complete standards framework, performance indicators, content coverage
  5. 5
    May 4, 2022 State Board of Education MeetingConnecticut State Board of Education · board action · published 2022-05-04 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: May 4, 2022 agenda, Adoption of MBA Research StandardsSupports: standards adoption date, adopting authority
  6. 6
    Governor Lamont Signs Legislation Requiring Completion of Personal Financial Management CourseOffice of Governor Ned Lamont · agency guidance · published 2023-07-20 · accessed 2026-09-20Locator: Announcement of Public Act 23-21 and diploma-credit treatmentSupports: signing date, half-credit course, class of 2027, no increase to 25 credits

Report a correction to this record

Read how state requirements are researched and classified

Frequently asked questions

Does Connecticut require financial literacy to graduate?

Yes. Students in the graduating class of 2027 and later must earn one-half credit in personal financial management and financial literacy.[1][2]

Does Connecticut require a stand-alone personal finance course?

No. Connecticut requires a defined half credit in the subject, but CSDE permits aligned existing courses and several mastery-, work-, online-, and experience-based pathways.[1][3]

Does the Connecticut requirement add to the total credits needed for graduation?

No. The state minimum remains 25 credits because the half credit can count toward humanities, STEM, or electives.[1]

When did Connecticut adopt its financial literacy standards?

The State Board of Education adopted the personal financial management and financial literacy standards on May 4, 2022.[5][4]

What do Connecticut's personal finance standards cover?

The 34 indicators cover money and income, taxes, banking, budgeting, credit, debt, identity theft, college financing, retirement, investing, insurance, charitable giving, and financial-service providers.[4]