What is Financial Literacy in the Classroom?
The School of Accounting and Finance, with financial support from Sagen™, is partnering with high school teachers across Canada to support their students in developing the confidence and competence to make smart financial decisions as they begin their first job, earn income, and begin planning and saving for their future. We believe that exposing youth to financial literacy topics is an important first step in developing the habits and behaviours that contribute to financial well-being. We hope to spark curiosity and encourage students to ask questions and seek answers as they explore financial topics like saving and investing, borrowing wisely, planning and budgeting, and become more aware of what’s happening in the Canadian economy (and around the world). Beyond exploration, we encourage students to participate in the Financial Literacy Competition (FLC) to test and challenge their knowledge of these and other important financial topics and to begin to develop the habits that are the foundation for a healthy financial future.
Explore our competition and resources
If you’re a teacher or student (or perhaps both!), explore our competition and financial literacy resources. Our competition and resources are available to enhance and support learning both in and out of the classroom, as facilitated teacher led activities or as student led self-study. When you and your students are ready, take on the challenge of our competition, the FLC, taking place twice per year in December and May. Thanks to the support of Sagen™, use of the resources and participation in the FLC are free.
Find out more by reviewing the Competitions and Resources links below:
In the News
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DigitalEd story
The University of Waterloo Teaches Financial Literacy Through a Fun and Engaging Competition for High School Students Using Möbius.
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Preparing future generations to live financially healthy lives
Finance leader and SAF alum Philip Mayers highlights the importance of giving back to the community by providing financial literacy lessons and supporting aspiring professionals.
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Financial Literacy Month
Director of Financial Literacy in the Classroom, Tracy Hilpert, speaks with Mike Braga of Money Matters on Rogers TV about the importance of developing financial literacy and how our resources and competition can help.
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Meet the Team
Director
| Tracy Hilpert is a Chartered Professional Accountant and lecturer in the School of Accounting and Finance. Her prior work experiences include both small and large public accounting practices with experience in audit, tax, valuation, and small business consulting, and controllership/CFO experience in private equity, impact investing. Recognizing that we all have lots to learn about finances and the habits that support financial well-being, Tracy connects with high school teachers and their students to promote financial literacy education in and out of the classroom. |
Administrator
| Keidon Giles is the Competitions Coordinator at the School of Accounting and Finance after working full-time and part-time in the role of ‘social media and web associate’ for the SAF Communications team as a co-op student since Fall 2019. As a UWaterloo alum in the Faculty of Health’s Recreation and Sport Business program, Keidon is excited to stay and learn at the University post graduation. As part of his role, Keidon will be assisting the Director in the administration of the Financial Literacy Competition, as well as assisting with marketing and promotion of the competition and its resources. |
Founder
| Grant Russell taught in the School of Accounting and Finance for many years before retiring in 2016. The FLC started from his passion for financial literacy education and his desire to inspire curiosity and encourage more students to pursue post-secondary education in accounting and finance. The FLC was born of his efforts in 2013 and has been a steady resource and co-curricular activity for high school teachers and students since then. Grant passed away in August of 2022. |
Partners
| Sagen™ (formerly Genworth Canada) partnered with the School of Accounting and Finance in 2018 and has been providing the financial support that has made it possible for the growth of our financial literacy resources and competition. Hundreds of high school students have been recognized with awards and prizes for their success on the FLC and many more have taken advantage of the learning opportunity to participate in our competition, all thanks to Sagen's partnership and financial support. Sagen provides mortgage insurance to help make home ownership a reality for more people. We share an interest in promoting financial literacy and healthy financial habits and our continued partnership ensures that our resources and competition are available to more high school students and teachers each year. |
Contact us
Stay informed by subscribing to our mailing list. We distribute regular communications about resources and our upcoming competition in the months and weeks leading up to each competition.
General inquiries and questions should be directed to saf-flc@uwaterloo.ca.
