Finance Classes for High School Students in NYC

Financial literacy is a must-have skill set for every person. There are several topics that fall under the scope of financial literacy: how to open a bank account, paying bills on time, creating and managing a budget, how credit works, how to improve your credit score, tips for using debt responsibly, how to save money for retirement, and how to compare financial products like credit cards and investments.

Over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, so being firmly in control of your finances can help you stretch your money farther and improve your economic status. Being financially literate can allow you to have an emergency savings account, leverage credit to your advantage, help you master budgeting, and allow you to experience the freedom that comes from financial stability.

Why High School Students Should Learn Finance

Learning finance at a young age can set you up for success. The power of financial literacy has motivated seven states (and counting) to have financial literacy requirements in schools. The Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA) Foundation found that students with higher financial literacy were less likely to have late fees, make only minimum payments on their credit cards, and take out payday loans. Georgia, Idaho, and Texas were three states that implemented mandatory financial education, and, three years later, they saw credit scores rise and delinquency rates fall.

Studying finance in high school can also help prepare you for your academic future. Taking a finance class can be a great way to study for an AP Finance exam, which can also help improve your chances of college acceptance. And, with plenty of top-notch finance programs at nearby universities like Fordham, CUNY, and NYU, you’ll have plenty of schools to choose from.

In-Person Finance Classes in NYC

Fordham University offers a course called Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom. In just one week, students will learn the fundamentals of finance, get exclusive access to a finance firm, and interact with top business executives in NYC.

The Young Finance Scholar program through the New York Finance Institute is a multi-disciplinary program that is taught by senior Wall Street experts and business leaders. The program teaches an understanding of key financial and business topics, offers guidance for admissions to prestigious colleges and universities worldwide, and provides access to long-term networking and professional and career development resources.

Columbia also has a pre-college course for high school students called Introduction to Finance & Investment Management. Students will learn the principles of finance and investment management, including interest rates and compound interest, how stocks and bonds are valued, how the stock market functions, how the international financial market functions, and how to approach stock selection and portfolio management. Taking a global approach, students generate their own investment strategies and portfolios.

Virtual Finance Classes

Live online classes can be an easy and accessible way to learn more about finance. Held in virtual classrooms, all you need is a computer and internet access to get started. Most (if not all) of your curriculum will be online, meaning you won’t need to spend additional costs on other materials. Live online classes allow you to interact with your instructor and other classmates, asking questions and receiving feedback in real-time. Instructors can see and control your screen (with your permission) to help troubleshoot any challenges you may encounter. Virtual classes mean you can attend from anywhere, whether that’s your home, favorite coffeehouse, or local library.

NextGen Bootcamp’s Excel, Finance, & Investing Summer Program is held live online and consists of 25 hours of in-depth learning. You’ll study the most essential business tool, Microsoft Excel, while covering topics like valuation (such as P/E ratios and discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis), financial statements, and fundamentals of stock investing. Consisting of three hours of daily live instruction that lasts for two weeks, this class is ideal for high school students since it has no prerequisites.

NextGen Bootcamp also offers a FinTech Summer Program, covering Microsoft Excel, finance, stock market investing, and Python for data science. Designed for beginners, this live online course will give students an advantage in future internships and college since they’ll be learning the skills that employers value. This course is basically the Excel, Finance, and Investing course mentioned above, with the addition of Python programming. You'll learn data science concepts using Pandas, Matplotlib, and scikit-learn, which teach you how to input, analyze, and graph data.

How to Choose a Finance Class

There are several factors to consider when choosing a finance class. The top factors are listed below, as well as some tips and tricks to help you make the best decision for you.

• Cost: The cost of finance classes can vary widely, so knowing your budget is very important. Some programs may offer financial assistance or payment plans as a way to make their training more accessible.
• Duration: Programs can also vary in length and can be offered full-time or part-time. If you are unable to attend a full-time course due to work or other commitments, then a part-time class can offer you more flexibility. If you want to learn finance while you’re on break from school, choosing a program that fits in that shorter window will be important.
• Level: If you’re completely new to finance, a beginner-friendly class with no prerequisites will be ideal. Intermediate or advanced courses are designed for those who are familiar with the fundamental concepts and looking to expand their knowledge with more complex topics. You’ll want to choose a course that challenges you but isn’t beyond your current capabilities.
• In-Person or Online: Choosing the right style of class matters, too. If you thrive in a structured classroom environment, start looking into in-person offerings. Online classes are ideal for those in need of more flexibility (whether that’s due to your schedule or your location) or those who prefer a more quiet, individual learning environment.