Young Americans Financial Literacy Act

The Young Americans Financial Literacy Act establishes a grant program within the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) to fund centers of excellence. These centers will support the research, development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective financial literacy education programs for young people and families aged 8 through 24 years old . The Director of the BCFP will make competitive grants to eligible institutions, which can include partnerships of higher education institutions, government agencies, non-profits, and financial institutions, in consultation with the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. Authorized activities include developing comprehensive, research-based financial literacy programs based on core competencies like budgeting and managing debt, and designing instructional materials for young families to address financial pitfalls such as bankruptcy and predatory lending. The program also supports professional development for educators, improving access to financial literacy information, and developing programs to reduce student loan default rates. Priority will be given to applications that clearly define financial literacy, address at-risk populations, incorporate cultural sensitivities, and include robust evaluation components to measure effectiveness and ensure replicability. Content delivery must be accessible through traditional and digital methods, including user-friendly websites. Annual grant funding is set between $27.5 million and $55 million , with the program terminating after fiscal year 2029. The Director is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing grant recipients, amounts, and the specific populations served.