How FCCLA’s STAR Event Is Changing the Way Students Learn About Money

In today’s classrooms, preparing students for life beyond graduation means more than teaching core subjects, it means equipping them with real-world skills they’ll use every day. Financial literacy is one of the most critical skills, and Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educators play a key role in teaching it.

That’s why FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) partnered with Everfi to create the Personal Finance STAR Event. It’s a competitive challenge that gives students a chance to apply financial literacy concepts in practical, hands-on ways. The event builds on Everfi’s free digital lessons by giving middle and high school students a hands-on way to apply financial concepts in realistic and engaging scenarios.

“FCCLA’s Personal Finance STAR Event prepares students to make smart financial choices,” said Sandy Spavone, FCCLA CEO. “This Competitive Event helps build confidence and readiness in youth to understand the potential for financial success now and in their future.”

Meeting a Growing Need

FCCLA advisers across the country have long expressed a need for more engaging, standards-aligned financial literacy resources and a new STAR event to test their skills. The Personal Finance STAR event was developed in direct response to that feedback, combining FCCLA’s focus on leadership and career readiness with Everfi’s expertise in personal finance education. 

The Personal Finance STAR Event is open to students in grades 6–12 and structured across three levels: 

• Level 1: Grades 6–8 

• Level 2: Grades 9–10 

• Level 3: Grades 11–12 

To enter the challenge, students must first complete select financial literacy lessons from Everfi. FutureSmart for middle school, Everfi for high schoolers with juniors and seniors having to also complete the Tax Simulation. From there, they build a financial plan based on a real-life scenario, set SMART goals, create a budget, track spending, and prepare an oral presentation to share their work. 

Over 1.5 million students completed these lessons last year, many of them FCCLA students.  

“The Personal Finance STAR Event gives FCCLA Members the chance to apply what they’ve learned in a meaningful and practical way,” said Spavone. “As they set goals, plan budgets, and reflect on outcomes, they discover their own ability to make responsible financial decisions. These experiences not only prepare them for adult life, but also inspire a sense of confidence and independence.” 

Why Educators Choose Everfi 

Everfi’s financial literacy resources stand out for their accessibility and impact.  

The Everfi platform is: 

• 100% free for K–12 schools, with unlimited student licenses 

• Standards-aligned to both national and state frameworks 

• Flexible, with both digital and offline lessons that spark classroom discussion 

• Insightful, with built-in assessments that provide real-time data on student learning 

For FCS teachers, this means less time spent searching for quality materials and more time focused on helping students build essential life skills. 

A review of Everfi’s National Impact Report shows that students are doing just that.  

Of the 1.5 million students the completed the three financial literacy resources required for the STAR event: 

• Middle school students experienced an average learning gain of 26% 

• Everfi – Financial Literacy students experienced learning gains of 28% 

• 17% more high school students felt prepared to check credit scores and maintain good credit over time after completing Everfi.
• 84% more students reported feeling prepared to set up and follow a budget to manage spending and saving after completing Everfi – Financial Literacy

Learning That Sticks

The STAR Event isn’t just a competition; it’s a steppingstone.  

It gives students a safe, consequence-free space to practice financial decision-making before they face those choices in adulthood.  

Whether they’re budgeting for college, saving for a car, or planning for future expenses, students walk away with a deeper understanding of how money works and how to make it work for them. 

Through the challenge, students also build and test a variety of durable skills. According to FCCLA, the top five skills students report gaining through STAR Events include: 

• Self-confidence 

• Decision-making and problem-solving 

• Professionalism and integrity 

• Responsibility and time management 

• Communication and writing skills 

“Students and educators alike are inspired by the financial literacy lessons and the personal finance challenge experience,” Spavone added. “The confidence and life skills gained through these initiatives continue to shine long after they are over.” 

Looking Ahead 

The FCCLA + Everfi partnership is still growing, and more educators are discovering the value of the STAR Event each year.  

The early feedback is clear: this initiative is helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications. 

For educators and leaders looking to bring this opportunity to their schools, Everfi offers full support, from onboarding and training to ongoing guidance. 

Educators that want to learn more can: 

• Explore Everfi’s free financial literacy resources  

• Create a teacher account 

• Learn more about FCCLA’s STAR Event

Challenge Your Students with the Personal Finance STAR Event 

Financial literacy isn’t just a subject; it’s a life skill. Through the Personal Finance STAR Event, FCCLA and Everfi are helping students build that skill in a way that’s engaging, practical, and empowering. For FCS educators, it’s a chance to deepen their impact. For district and state leaders, it’s a model worth exploring. 

To learn more, get trained, or bring this challenge to your students, visit https://get.everfi.com/fccla-and-everfi/.