LOWELL, Mass. – Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union sponsored the EVERFI National Financial Bee. The National Financial Bee was a first-of-its-kind nationwide financial literacy challenge for students in 7th-10th grade and took place April 24-30.
“As families across the country are struggling to balance work, childcare, and homeschooling amidst widespread school closures driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Financial Bee provides an opportunity for students to have some fun and learn critical financial concepts at home while social distancing,” the credit union said.
The five-day challenge, created by EVERFI and supported by leading financial institutions nationwide, featured a short daily digital lesson and capstone essay contest in which students will share a financial dream of theirs and how they plan to get there. Winners of the National Financial Bee will receive a total of $20,000 in college scholarships; first prize winning $10,000, second prize $6,000, and third prize $4,000.
“Our goal at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is to help our members make smart financial choices and we believe those choices come through financial education,” said President/CEO Mark Cochran. “We are even more focused on financial literacy during this time of uncertainty, and this program brings us an opportunity to highlight educational opportunities during Financial Literacy Month. We are proud to be supporting parents and students through the National Financial Bee and hope it helps drive open discussions at home about important financial topics.”
During the challenge, participating students gained new skills to create a personalized financial decision-making framework that they can apply to their lives now and in the future. Topics include spending and saving, credit and debt, employment and income, investing, and insurance.
In addition to supporting the National Financial Bee, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union worked with EVERFI to provide school-based financial education in its three high school branches at Dracut High School, Lowell High School, and Nashua High School South, respectively. Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union also provides members of all ages a free online version, with interactive learning modules that will help build the foundation for long-term financial success.