Youth Financial Learning Act

To improve the financial literacy of secondary school students. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Youth Financial Learning Act 2. Statewide incentive grants for financial literacy education (a) Definitions In this Act, the terms community-based organization elementary school local educational agency professional development secondary school Secretary State educational agency well-rounded education 20 U.S.C. 7801 (b) Grants Authorized (1) In General From amounts appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies to enable those State educational agencies to integrate financial literacy education into public elementary schools or secondary schools by carrying out the activities described in paragraph (4). (2) Duration A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 4 years. (3) Application Each State educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, including— (A) a description of how the State educational agency will award subgrants to local educational agencies; (B) a description of how the State educational agency will ensure sustainability of the grant activities after the grant program; (C) an assertion that teachers, principals, parents, and students have been consulted in the process of developing the application; and (D) a description of how the State educational agency will ensure geographic diversity so that grant activities benefit students in urban, rural, and suburban locations. (4) Uses of State funds (A) State activities Each State educational agency receiving grant funds under this section may use not more than 10 percent of such grant funds— (i) for technical assistance; (ii) for curriculum development; (iii) to provide guidance to local educational agencies; or (iv) to conduct an evaluation of the impact of financial literacy or personal finance education on students’ understanding of financial literacy concepts. (B) Subgrants (i) In General Each State educational agency receiving grant funds under this section shall use the remainder of such grant funds to award subgrants to local educational agencies in the State. (ii) Priority In awarding such subgrants, a State educational agency shall give priority to local educational agencies that— (I) serve high numbers, or a high percentage of, elementary schools and secondary schools implementing plans under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1111(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311(d) (II) demonstrate the greatest need for such funds, as determined by the State educational agency; and (III) demonstrate the strongest commitment to using funds under this section to enable the lowest-performing schools to improve students' financial literacy and student outcomes. (c) Uses of subgrant funds Each local educational agency receiving a subgrant under this section shall use the subgrant funds— (1) to implement, expand, or sustain, in one or more elementary schools or one or more secondary schools, school-based financial literacy activities and curriculum that is a substantial portion of any class, in order to enhance student understanding of and experimental learning with consumer, economic, entrepreneurship, and personal finance concepts, including personal credit, student loans, and financial aid; (2) to promote partnerships between the local educational agency and community-based organizations that provide innovative, evidence-based financial literacy activities to elementary school or secondary school students, which may include after school activities; and (3) to promote professional development programs to embed financial literacy or personal finance or entrepreneurship education into a well-rounded education in elementary schools or secondary schools. (d) Matching funds A State educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall provide matching funds, from non-Federal sources, in an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of grant funds provided to the State educational agency to carry out the activities supported by the grant. (e) Supplement not supplant Grant funds provided under this section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other Federal or State funds available to carry out activities described in this section. (f) Appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.

Summary: Youth Financial Learning Act This bill directs the Department of Education to award competitive grants to state educational agencies and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to integrate financial literacy education into public elementary or secondary schools.