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Financial Education in Vermont

Being "financially literate" means you have the knowledge, skills and habits to successfully manage your money. A growing body of research shows a wide range of benefits to individuals, families and communities where its citizens are actively practicing sound money management skills. Such skills include using a budget or plan for monthly spending; regularly saving some of today's money for tomorrow's needs; managing your use of credit to avoid over-extending yourself; and investing funds to allow your money to grow. 

The pages in our financial literacy section organize resources for you so that you can quickly get to information you can use. The links to these pages are located on the righthand side of this page. We hope these pages help you continue to move forward toward a more financially secure future.

What's New in Financial Literacy?

2012 Be Money Wi$e Financial Literacy Poster Contest

Get your young people thinking about how to manage money effectively and provide a creative outlet to demonstrate their knowledge. The theme for the 2012 contest is "Managing Money is not Magic!" Students placing first in their grade division receive a $100 U.S. savings bond and their schools receive a $100 cash price for supporting financial literacy. Contest deadline is March 12, 2012.

Don't Miss: Common Sense--A Personal Finance Conference for Educators

March 15, the Vermont Jump$tart Coalition will hold their 7th annual conference for teachers and parents at the Sheraton Hotel in South Burlington, Vermont. Expand your own knowledge of personal finance and learn about new ways to teach money management to students.

Money Smart Child Initiative Is Underway!

Through a three-way partnership between the State Treasurer's Office, Vermont Jump$tart Coalition, and People's United Bank, the groundwork has been laid to reach more than 11,000 families with resources parents can use to instruct their children in personal finance. Fifty-seven elementary, middle school and high schools located throughout the state will distribute the booklet, "How to Raise a Money Smart Child--A Parent's Guide" to parents this school term. View the booklet online.

Upcoming free parent workshops:

March 16 the Deadline for Reading is an Investment

Vermont students are completing their financial literacy logs and are sending them in! Last year, more than 1,300 students completed logs and were in the drawing for one of ten $250 college savings accounts. Our second year of the program features new books, lesson plans, instructional resources and more! The theme this year is earning and saving money.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Treasurer's Office urges working Vermonters to check their eligibility for the EITC. EITC is a federal and state income tax credit that can reduce a qualified individual's tax bill and result in a refund. To qualify, a person must have worked in 2011 and have earned income. Last tax season, more than 45,000 Vermonters claimed the credit for a combined average refund of $2,000. Vermont families who earn less than $49,078 a year may qualify for this credit. Learn more through the links below.

  • Vermonters Urged to Claim Tax Credit to Lower Taxes or Receive Refund. More
  • Calculate whether you qualify by using the EITC Assistant
  • Free tax preparation sites in Vermont for those earning less than $50,000. More  Printable List
  • Qualifying for the state EITC makes families with dependent children income eligible for food benefits through the 3SquaresVt program. More
Financial Literacy Trust Fund

We recognize these trust fund supporters for their partnership with the Treasurer's Office in promoting financial literacy. 

Consumer Tips

From avoiding unexpected bank account costs to financial planning tips for young adults--check out the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) consumer education page.