North Carolina integrates financial literacy into existing courses rather than requiring a standalone class. The state has 47 financial literacy standards across 15 topic areas that are embedded within subjects like economics and social studies.

Last updated: March 2026

47 Standards
15 Topic Areas
integrated Mandate Status
K-5, 6-8, 9-12 Grade Levels

Does North Carolina Require Financial Literacy Education?

Yes, through integration. North Carolina requires financial literacy concepts to be taught within existing courses rather than as a standalone class. North Carolina integrates financial literacy across multiple subject areas including mathematics, social studies, and career and technical education rather than requiring a standalone course. Standards address personal finance, economics, and financial decision-making at multiple grade levels.

Mandate Details

Status
integrated
Standalone Course
No
Grade Levels
K-5, 6-8, 9-12
Legislation
Session Law 2019-82 (HB 924) (2019-07-08 (signed by Governor Roy Cooper); applies to students entering 9th grade in 2020-2021 and thereafter)

Key Agencies

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction - Instructional Materials Section
Manages state adoption lists, adoption cycles, and material evaluation for K-8 core subjects
North Carolina State Board of Education
Approves instructional materials for state adoption lists and sets policy for curriculum standards
North Carolina Division of Purchase and Contract Management
Oversees state procurement regulations and vendor registration requirements
Regional Education Service Alliances (RESAs)
Facilitate cooperative purchasing and provide procurement support to member districts
What this means for districts: Teachers need resources that address financial literacy objectives within their existing courses. A standards-aligned supplement can help ensure coverage without requiring schedule changes.

What Are North Carolina's Financial Literacy Standards?

North Carolina has 47 financial literacy standards organized across 15 topic areas. These topics range from Consumer Protection & Fraud and Financial Decision-Making & Behavior to Financial Systems & Regulation, covering the full spectrum of personal finance education.

5 standards
Consumer Protection & Fraud
5 covered
3 standards
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior
2 covered 1 gap
4 standards
Credit & Debt
4 covered
2 standards
Budgeting & Cash Flow
2 covered
3 standards
Taxes
3 covered
3 standards
Postsecondary Financing
3 covered
3 standards
Earning Income
3 covered
2 standards
Banking & Payments
2 covered
2 standards
Employment & Benefits
2 covered
2 standards
Housing & Mortgages
2 covered
1 standard
Investing
1 covered
1 standard
Saving
1 covered
1 standard
Insurance & Risk Management
1 covered
1 standard
Net Worth & Wealth Building
1 covered
1 standard
Financial Systems & Regulation
1 covered

How North Carolina School Districts Adopt Financial Literacy Curriculum

North Carolina is a state adoption state, meaning curriculum must appear on a state-approved list before districts can purchase it with state funds. North Carolina is a state adoption state where the State Board of Education maintains official adoption lists for K-8 instructional materials in core subject areas.

Purchasing Process

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction maintains state-adopted textbook and instructional materials lists. Districts may purchase from the state adoption list or, in some cases, request approval for non-adopted materials through local board action.

Decision Level

The State Board of Education approves materials for the state adoption list, but individual districts retain authority to select from approved lists and make supplemental material purchases. Some districts may seek waivers for non-adopted materials.

Textbook Adoption Cycle

Cycle Length
6 years
Subject Area
Staggered cycles covering Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and related subjects

North Carolina operates on a rotating adoption cycle with different subject areas reviewed in different years. Districts are notified in advance of adoption windows. Materials must be submitted and evaluated during designated periods. Cycle schedule is maintained by the Department of Public Instruction.

Cooperative Purchasing Options

North Carolina Association of Educational Procurement Officials (NCAEPO) Regional Education Service Alliances (RESAs) — North Carolina has multiple regional cooperative purchasing entities Sourcegov North Carolina (for various educational cooperatives) State contracts through the North Carolina Division of Purchase and Contract Management

Curriculum That Meets North Carolina's Financial Literacy Standards

Districts looking for a standards-aligned financial literacy curriculum can use iKnowFi Academy — a self-paced, online platform built on the Absorb LMS that maps directly to North Carolina's learning objectives. iKnowFi Academy covers 43 of 47 standards (91.5% coverage) across 10 courses.

North Carolina Standards Coverage

91.5%
43 of 47 standards covered 10 courses

Aligned Courses

Borrowing Money

2 modules · 3 standards aligned

Establishing Credit

1 module · 1 standard aligned

Financial Building Blocks

2 modules · 10 standards aligned

Financial Preparation and Recovery

3 modules · 8 standards aligned

Making Housing Decisions

2 modules · 2 standards aligned

Managing Your Debt

1 module · 2 standards aligned

Managing Your Money

2 modules · 7 standards aligned

The Importance of Saving

1 module · 1 standard aligned

Using Credit Cards

1 module · 2 standards aligned

Your Financial Future

2 modules · 7 standards aligned

North Carolina's Financial Literacy Standards & iKnowFi Academy Alignment

All 47 standards — 43 covered by iKnowFi Academy.

Consumer Protection & Fraud 5/5 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.CC.1 Explain how advertising, social media, and business practices impact consumer decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
EPF.CC.1 Identify information, reviews, and reports consumers use to make financial decisions. 9-12 Managing Your Money
EPF.CC.2 Explain how consumer protection laws contribute to the empowerment of the individual. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
EPF.CC.2 Summarize various types of fraudulent solicitation and business practices. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
EPF.CC.2 Summarize ways consumers can protect themselves from fraudulent and deceptive practices. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Financial Decision-Making & Behavior 2/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.IE.1 Explain how education, income, career, and life choices impact an individual’s financial plan and goals. 9-12 Managing Your Money
EPF.FP.1 Identify factors (i.e. income, budget, cost of living, experiences) that influence financial planning. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
EPF.FP.1 Summarize the role of philanthropy, volunteer services, businesses, and nonprofits in community development and quality of life. 9-12 —
Credit & Debt 4/4 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.2 Explain how interest and fees impact spending, debt, and savings. 9-12 Borrowing Money
EPF.MCM.3 Compare credit sources and services. 9-12 Borrowing Money
EPF.MCM.3 Explain how debt management and creditworthiness impact an individual’s ability to become a responsible consumer and borrower. 9-12 Managing Your Debt
EPF.MCM.3 Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of debt. 9-12 Managing Your Debt
Budgeting & Cash Flow 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.1 Explain how fiscally responsible individuals create and manage a spending plan. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
EPF.MCM.1 Critique income and spending plans in terms of age, individual needs, and available resources. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Taxes 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.IE.2 Explain how payroll deductions modify an employee’s disposable income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
EPF.IE.2 Identify the types and purposes of local, state, and federal taxes and the way each is levied and used. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
EPF.IE.2 Implement appropriate computations and procedures to prepare a federal or state tax form. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Postsecondary Financing 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.IE.1 Explain how education, income, career, and life choices impact an individual’s financial plan and goals. 9-12 Your Financial Future
EPF.IE.1 Identify the costs of postsecondary education and the potential increase in income from a career of choice. 9-12 Your Financial Future
EPF.IE.1 Compare strategies which can minimize the costs of postsecondary education. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Earning Income 3/3 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.IE.1 Explain how education, income, career, and life choices impact an individual’s financial plan and goals. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
EPF.IE.1 Identify the costs of postsecondary education and the potential increase in income from a career of choice. 9-12 Your Financial Future
EPF.IE.1 Summarize various types of income. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
Banking & Payments 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.2 Design a plan that uses the services of various financial institutions to meet financial goals. 9-12 Managing Your Money
EPF.MCM.2 Compare costs and benefits of cash, debit, payment applications, and credit card transactions in terms of interest rates, fees, penalties, costs, and benefits. 9-12 Using Credit Cards
Employment & Benefits 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.IE.1 Explain how education, income, career, and life choices impact an individual’s financial plan and goals. 9-12 Financial Building Blocks
EPF.IE.1 Differentiate career and education options after high school in terms of desired lifestyle. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Housing & Mortgages 2/2 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.1 Compare the costs and benefits of renting, leasing, or owning. 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
EPF.MCM.1 Compare various types of mortgages. 9-12 Making Housing Decisions
Investing 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.FP.1 Compare various investing strategies and tax implications for their potential to build wealth. 9-12 Your Financial Future
Saving 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.2 Explain how interest and fees impact spending, debt, and savings. 9-12 The Importance of Saving
Insurance & Risk Management 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.3 Classify the various types of insurance and estate planning including the benefits and consequences. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Net Worth & Wealth Building 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.MCM.3 Classify the various types of insurance and estate planning including the benefits and consequences. 9-12 Financial Preparation and Recovery
Financial Systems & Regulation 1/1 covered
ID Standard Grade iKnowFi Academy Course
EPF.CC.1 Explain how consumer-driven decisions impact the economy 9-12 Managing Your Money

North Carolina Financial Literacy FAQ

North Carolina integrates financial literacy into existing courses rather than requiring a standalone class.

North Carolina integrates financial literacy across multiple subject areas including mathematics, social studies, and career and technical education rather than requiring a standalone course. Standards address personal finance, economics, and financial decision-making at multiple grade levels.

North Carolina's financial literacy requirement is established by Session Law 2019-82 (HB 924). Effective 2019-07-08 (signed by Governor Roy Cooper); applies to students entering 9th grade in 2020-2021 and thereafter.

Requires all public high school students to complete a full-credit standalone Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course as a graduation requirement, with course content aligned to the Council for Economic Education's national standards, covering topics including credit costs, credit cards, borrowing for large purchases, home mortgages, credit scoring, and planning for postsecondary education.

North Carolina's financial literacy standards apply to grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12. Standards are integrated into existing coursework.

North Carolina has 47 financial literacy standards spanning 15 topic areas including Consumer Protection & Fraud, Credit & Debt, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Taxes, Postsecondary Financing.

North Carolina's 47 standards are organized across 15 topics: Consumer Protection & Fraud, Credit & Debt, Budgeting & Cash Flow, Taxes, Postsecondary Financing, Earning Income, Banking & Payments, Employment & Benefits, Financial Decision-Making & Behavior, Housing & Mortgages, Investing, Saving, Insurance & Risk Management, Net Worth & Wealth Building, Financial Systems & Regulation.

North Carolina uses a state adoption process. Districts select from a state-approved vendor list.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction maintains state-adopted textbook and instructional materials lists. Districts may purchase from the state adoption list or, in some cases, request approval for non-adopted materials through local board action.

iKnowFi Academy covers 43 of North Carolina's 47 financial literacy standards (92% coverage) across 10 self-paced online courses.

Each course is aligned to North Carolina's specific learning objectives, built on the Absorb LMS, and includes built-in assessments. Teachers assign them and students work independently.

Get Your Free North Carolina Standards Alignment Report

See exactly how iKnowFi Academy maps to each of North Carolina's 47 financial literacy standards — standard by standard, module by module.

  • 43 of 47 standards covered
  • 10 self-paced courses, ready to assign
  • Built-in assessments and progress tracking
  • No schedule changes needed — students work independently

Ready to see the full alignment?

Free for North Carolina school districts

Request Alignment Report Schedule a Demo
Last updated: March 2026