Financial Planning for Young Adults (FPYA), developed in partnership with the CFP Board, is designed to provide an introduction to basic financial planning concepts for young adults. The FPYA course is organized across eight separate modules within a 4-week window. Topics covered include financial goal setting, saving and investing, budgeting, financial risk, borrowing and credit. Because financial planning is such a personal topic, you will be encouraged to define your own financial goals and objectives while we discuss concepts and provide tools which can be applied in helping you reach those goals.
Financial Planning for Young Adults
Offered By
Financial Planning for Young Adults
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Skills you will gain
Risk ManagementBudgetSavingInvestment
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 14 hours to complete
Suggested: 4 weeks of study, 3-4 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Orientation
2 hours to complete
2 videos (Total 4 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
5 readings
Course Syllabus10m
About the Discussion Forums10m
Social Media10m
Updating Your Profile10m
About the Financial Literacy Quiz Pretest10m
2 practice exercises
Orientation Quiz10m
Financial Literacy Pretest12m
2 hours to complete
Module 1: Setting Financial Goals and Assessing Your Situation
In this module, you'll explore the "personal" in personal finance, use financial tools to assess where you are currently with your finances, and begin setting goals for where you'd like to be in the future.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 41 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
7 videos
Lecture: Dream Big5m
Vignette: Belize for Spring Break?2m
Lecture: What Influences Our Financial Decisions?11m
Vignette: Education, Retirement, or Fun?3m
Lecture: Where Are You Now?9m
Lecture: Turning Dreams into Goals7m
2 readings
Module 1 Overview10m
Reading: Exploring Money Personalities Further10m
1 practice exercise
Module 1: Financial Goals & Assessing Your Situation Quiz14m
2 hours to complete
Module 2: Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
In this module, we will discuss the importance of budgeting in the financial planning and management process, and resources available for cash flow management. Learners will be exposed to the basic process of budgeting, a panel discussion with practicing investment advisors, and a comparative discussion of the more common tools and methods for managing cash flows.
2 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 60 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
8 videos
Lecture: Budgeting Overview14m
Street Interview: How Can You Avoid Overspending?2m
Interview: Investment Advisor Interview7m
Vignette: Creating a Budget2m
Lecture: Financial Services14m
Lecture: Alternatives to Cash14m
Street Interview: What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Credit Card?2m
1 reading
Module 2 Overview10m
1 practice exercise
Module 2: Budgeting and Cash Flow Management Quiz20m
2 hours to complete
Module 3: Saving Strategies
In this module you'll have the opportunity to explore best practices for building a saving habit and discuss barriers to saving. Mental accounting will be introduced and considered in terms of how it can affect saving behavior.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 40 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
7 videos
Lecture: Why Save Money?8m
Lecture: How to Start Saving Money10m
Vignette: Set a Savings Goal2m
Lecture: Build a Savings Habit5m
Street Interview: What Are Some Barriers to Saving Money?1m
Lecture: Barriers to Saving8m
2 readings
Module 3 Overview10m
Reading: America Saves15m
1 practice exercise
Module 3: Saving Strategies30m
1 hour to complete
Module 4: The Time Value of Money
Understanding why the time value of money is a very important concept -- so important it has its own module!
1 hour to complete
1 video (Total 14 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
1 video
1 reading
Module 4 Overview10m
1 practice exercise
Module 4: Time Value of Money20m
2 hours to complete
Module 5: Borrowing and Credit
The ability to use debt and credit to finance purchases has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding topics related to loan repayment and how your borrowing and credit use behavior may impact your credit report is critical for being able to have access to debt and credit use in the future.
2 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 59 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
11 videos
Lecture: Borrowing and Credit: Pros and Cons8m
Lecture: Loan Amortization Part One5m
Lecture: Loan Amortization Part Two6m
Lecture: Loan Amortization Part Three5m
Vignette: What Is a Credit Report?2m
Lecture: Credit Reports10m
Lecture: Credit Scores9m
Loan Denial Testimonial: Bad Credit History1m
Loan Denial Testimonial: No Credit History1m
Loan Denial Testimonial: Identity Theft1m
1 reading
Module 5 Overview10m
1 practice exercise
Module 5: Borrowing and Credit20m
2 hours to complete
Module 6: Investing
In this module you'll be introduced to investment terms and key investment strategies. This foundation will allow you to better understand investment choices and information that you'll encounter throughout your life.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 48 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
7 videos
Lecture: Introduction to Investing Terms13m
Lecture: Understanding Investment Risk6m
Street Interview: What Does It Mean to Diversify Investments?1m
Lecture: Diversify Your Investments9m
Vignette: When to Start Saving for Retirement?2m
Lecture: Investing Tips for Young Adults13m
2 readings
Module 6 Overview10m
Building on Your Knowledge10m
1 practice exercise
Module 6 Investing34m
3 hours to complete
Module 7: Risk Management
This module covers risk related topics related to insurance, and introduces learners to the concept of personal risk tolerance and how it might impact individualized risk management strategies.
3 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 68 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
7 videos
Street Interview: Why Do You Buy Insurance?1m
Lecture: Insurance Basics21m
Street Interview: What Determines the Cost of Insurance?1m
Lecture: Life Insurance13m
Vignette: Are You Ready for Life Insurance?4m
Lecture: Insurance Risk Panel Discussion15m
2 readings
Module 7 Overview10m
Financial Literacy Quiz5m
2 practice exercises
Post-Test Financial Literacy12m
Risk Management Quiz20m
2 hours to complete
Module 8: Financial Planning as a Career
The module provides an overview of the career opportunities in financial planning. You will get to see what it is like to engage and assist people (clients) from a variety of walks-of life. This module is optional in terms of completion of the course certificate. There is no required assignment in this module.
2 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 57 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
Lecture: Financial Planning as a Career Part One8m
Mock-Up Video: Middle-Age Couple Meeting with a Financial Planner3m
Mock-Up Video: Young Client Meeting with a Financial Planner3m
Lecture: Financial Planning as a Career Part Two20m
Interview: Interview with a Financial Planner Video One8m
Interview: Interview with a Financial Planner Video Two7m
I Am A CFP® Pro: Campaign Spokepeople2m
2 readings
Module 8 Overview10m
CFPPro.org10m
1 practice exercise
Financial Planning as a Career Quiz10m
Reviews
4.5
TOP REVIEWS FROM FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR YOUNG ADULTS
by LGMar 31, 2018
Great class overall. I would like to see more updated information, as many of the links no longer work and the material is from about 2012. I would also love to see more diversity in the vignettes.
by TJAug 4, 2017
Financial planning as a career seems too forceful at the end of the course.\n\nOther then that, it is a very good course with good contents and interesting videos for easy understanding.
by MGDec 20, 2017
Very clear, concise and easy to understand. I have a much stronger grasp on my personal finances and what to do when facing future financial situations.
by PKJan 19, 2020
Very glad I took this course in college I feel much more prepared than I feel others my age are and feel prepared to start saving and investing early.
by LCApr 2, 2018
Loved this class. Appreciate so much that it was so practical. A basic class, but thorough. Just what I needed.
by BKMay 3, 2018
Great source of knowledge to build a base if you are looking to become a CFP or even just a career in fina
by TBMar 24, 2020
I have gained so much for this course. It was well structured and presented. I plan to review it again.
by JLOct 10, 2019
This course was very helpful and I learned a lot about investing on a beginner level.
by FLSep 15, 2017
Found this course refreshing in terms of my current finances and investments.
by CWJun 5, 2017
Quick, straight forward. Less boring than most online classes I've taken.
by NGMar 31, 2018
Great introductory course with a general overview of financial planning.
About University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
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Is financial aid available?
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