Financial Literacy Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Literacy Student and Licensure Requirements

Academic
Year		 Financial Literacy Educator Licensure Requirements Financial Literacy Student Requirements
2023-24 Any educator who holds a current license that allows them to teach grades 9-12.
  • Classes of 2023-2025: Financial literacy instruction is required for students to graduate. School districts determine how and when students meet this requirement. 
  • Class of 2026 and Beyond: For students entering high school for the first time on or after July 1, 2022, one-half credit of Financial Literacy is to be used as one-half credit for Electives or Mathematics. The one-half credit of Mathematics cannot be
    • Algebra 1 (or Math 1 if using an integrated approach);
    • Geometry (or Math 2 if using an integrated approach);
    • Advanced Computer Science; or
    • Algebra 2.
Financial Literacy cannot count towards Social Studies credits for students who enter ninth grade on and after July 1, 2022. Students may not use a Financial Literacy course for one-half of Mathematics credit if they use Advanced Computer Science coursework instead of Algebra 2 or its equivalent for graduation.
2024-25

Any educator who is licensed to teach grades 9-12 AND has the Financial Literacy license validation 

OR

Educators who are licensed to teach grades 9-12 in Social Studies, Family and Consumer Sciences, Mathematics, or Business Education
  • Classes of 2023-2025: Financial literacy instruction is required for students to graduate. School districts determine how and when students meet this requirement. 
  • Class of 2026 and Beyond: For students entering high school for the first time on or after July 1, 2022, one-half credit of Financial Literacy is to be used as one-half credit for Electives or Mathematics. The one-half credit of Mathematics cannot be
    • Algebra 1 (or Math 1 if using an integrated approach);
    • Geometry (or Math 2 if using an integrated approach);
    • Advanced Computer Science; or
    • Algebra 2.
Financial Literacy cannot count towards Social Studies credits for students who enter ninth grade on and after July 1, 2022. Students may not use a Financial Literacy course for one-half of Mathematics credit if they use Advanced Computer Science coursework instead of Algebra 2 or its equivalent for graduation.
2025-26 and Beyond

Any educator who is licensed to teach grades 9-12 AND has the Financial Literacy license validation 

OR

Educators who are licensed to teach grades 9-12 in Social Studies, Family and Consumer Sciences, Mathematics, or Business Education
  • Class of 2026 and Beyond: For students entering high school for the first time on or after July 1, 2022, one-half credit of Financial Literacy is to be used as one-half credit for Electives or Mathematics. The one-half credit of Mathematics cannot be
    • Algebra 1 (or Math 1 if using an integrated approach);
    • Geometry (or Math 2 if using an integrated approach);
    • Advanced Computer Science; or
    • Algebra 2.
Financial Literacy cannot count towards Social Studies credits for students who enter ninth grade on and after July 1, 2022. Students may not use a Financial Literacy course for one-half of Mathematics credit if they use Advanced Computer Science coursework instead of Algebra 2 or its equivalent for graduation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

General

General

Does the new law refer to specific standards and model curriculum?
Ohio law states the study and instruction of Financial literacy shall align with Ohio’s Learning Standards for Financial Literacy and Ohio’s Model Curriculum for Financial Literacy.

In developing the locally prescribed curriculum for the study and instruction of Financial literacy, school districts may use available public-private partnerships and resources and materials that exist in business, industry, and through the centers for economics education at institutions of higher education.

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Does Financial Literacy need to be one half credit?
Ohio law requires students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2022, the class of 2026, to earn one-half credit of financial literacy as a graduation requirement. In Ohio Revised Code, one-half unit means a minimum of sixty hours of course instruction.
 

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What are the Financial Literacy graduation requirements for students who enter ninth (9th) grade prior to July 1, 2022?
Instruction in financial literacy is required for these students to graduate. School districts determine how and when financial literacy instruction is provided for these students.

There are no licensure requirements for educators teaching financial literacy content for students who enter ninth grade prior to July 1, 2022.

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Who should educators contact regarding licensure requirements for Financial Literacy?
The State Board of Education is responsible for issuing educator licensures and validations. Educators may visit the Department's Financial Literacy Licensure Validation and Reimbursement webpage for more information.

Educators who have specific questions on licensure and the financial literacy validation may review the information on the Financial Literacy Validation web page on the State Board of Education’s website or email Educator.Licensure@SBOE.ohio.gov.

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Who should individuals contact regarding Financial Literacy graduation requirements?
Educators can review the graduation requirements for the Classes of 2023 and Beyond on Ohio's Long-term Graduation Requirements page.

Questions may be directed to gradrequirements@education.ohio.gov.

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Who should school districts contact regarding EMIS questions?
School districts are encouraged to review the Department's EMIS webpage for the latest information on reporting a student's progress in meeting the financial literacy requirements.

Questions may be directed to EMIS@education.ohio.gov.

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Last Modified: 3/31/2025 9:57:27 AM