1. Welcome to the 3-YEAR PROGRAM!

2. The State of Financial Literacy Reality Check 45% of college students are in credit card debt, the average balance being $3,000. University administrators state that they lose more students to credit card debt than to academic failure. The number of 18-24 year olds declaring bankruptcy has increased by 96% in 10 years. In 2002, more people filed for bankruptcy than graduated from college.

3. Which are you? When it comes to managing money, there are three types of people… $ People Who Just Get By $ The Big Spenders $ People Who “Get It”

4. FA Mission The mission of the Finance Academy is to ensure students “get it!” Students will graduate from high school with a strong understanding of financial literacy that will help them both in their personal and professional lives.

5. Program Highlights  Three-Year Program  Students will apply Freshman year  Cohort Group  Networking at Advisory Board Meetings  Ropes Adventure Course  Financial Literacy Certifications  Junior Achievement Integration  Bank Tours  Stock Market Challenges  Senior Trip to Chicago

6. FA MANDATORY Course Requirements CourseYearUnit Application & Selection 9 th Grade N/A Banking & Credit - FA 10 th Grade.5 Accounting - FA 11 th Grade 1 Mandatory Internship (Unpaid) 11 th / 12 th Grade.5 Financial Planning – FA 12 th Grade.5 BEEP - FA 12 th Grade.5

7. 10 th Grade Ropes Experience

8. College Credit Opportunities BEEP / College Success Skills Advance Studies – 3 ECC Credits Financial Planning Advance Studies – 3 ECC Credits Bryant and Stratton Saturday morning class at Bryant and Stratton during your Junior and/or Senior year. Free just buy the book! (ex. Web Design and/or Marketing)

9. A Finance Academy Partnership Meridia has partnered with Meridia has partnered with Hamburg High School to build a student-run credit union in the foyer.

10. HHS Student Credit Union Highlights  Mr. Mike Hoffman, Meridia CEO  This can count as your internship!  Mrs. Lawrence is the Internship Coordinator of the building!  Mrs. Bolin is the liason for the credit union.  Location  Services Offered  Deposits Only  ATM Machine  Operations – 100% student run  Purpose  For students of the building to gain financial literacy skills  Open checking / savings accounts  Begin to save…prom accounts, Christmas accounts

11. Meridia Student Positions Sophomore Positions Available:  Assistant Manager  Tellers  Marketing Team  These interviews will take place throughout this semester  Interested candidates must be willing to give up lunch and/or study hall during open periods (lunches) Credit Union to officially opens towards the end of September

12. Banking & Credit- FA What to Expect?  Internship Preparation & Training  Career Planning  Workplace Skills and Employee Characteristics  Professionalism  Creating a budget: income & expenses  Banking products & services  Credit  Complete a banking research project  Ropes Course, Local Bank Tour  Networking / Wardrobe Wednesdays  Junior Achievement Integration  Fundraising  Meridia Credit Union Internship

13. But I don’t want to be a “Business” person…  Everything is “Business!”  FA teaches employability  Avoid future financial pitfalls  Be smart with your money  Earn college credit  Build your resume with credentials only available to Finance Academy students!  Build lasting friendships!

14. High Expectations All Business All BusinessTeachers will have an active role in the Finance Academy Mrs. Lawrence Mrs. Sampson Mrs. Bolin You and your parents must sign the contract!