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Financial Literacy for Students: Invest in Your Future

Explore these articles, resources, interactive tools, and simulation games to build your financial literacy. With some budgeting basics under your belt, you'll be better equipped to make the most of your education and employment.

Budget Basics

Take advantage of the wealth of information out there that will help you invest in your future.  These valuable resources can help you save money, manage a budget, use credit wisely, and achieve your financial goals.

Parent with children at the grocery checkout

Shop Smart

Small daily treats or impulsive purchases can add up over the year. Shopping smart isn’t about how much money you have—it’s about how you spend it. Here are some practical ideas on how to get best value for your money and make it last.
Person using an ATM

How to Grow Your Bank Account When You’re Just Starting Out

Find money you’re eligible for, ways to earn more, and discover how to keep more money for yourself.

Smart Banking Tips

Now that you’ve got the money for your post-secondary studies, you need to keep it safe. Follow these steps to help you decide where to keep your money.

Tips to Save Money While You're at School

For most post-secondary students, money is tight. But remember that every dollar you save while you’re in school is one less dollar that you’ll owe in student debt when you graduate. Consider whether these tips will work for you.
Financial Literacy Resources

Financial Tools and Calculators

The Government of Canada provides a number of financial tools, including a budget estimator, an education cost calculator, and an online budget planner.

Alberta Student Aid

Alberta Student Aid provides financial resources to Albertans to support their post-secondary education.

Canada Student Grants and Loans

Information and tools from the Government of Canada, designed to help students save, plan, and pay for post-secondary education

Understand Your Student Loan and Grant

Check out the Funding Guide for information about your loan and grant, as well as an overview of how student aid works.

Momentum's Matched Savings for Youth

Matched Savings for Youth will teach you how to save and manage your money during 2-hour evening workshops, twice a month, for 9 months. Momentum will match the money you save 4:1, which you can spend on tuition, textbooks, a laptop for school, tools for work, RESP, RDSP, or starting your own business.

Money Mentors Financial Education

Free financial education programs give you the tools to get out of debt, become financially stable, and live a stress-free life. Topics include budgeting, credit/debt, saving, planning for retirement, and more.

ATB Financial Literacy Programs

Check out the Alberta Treasury Board (ATB Financial)’s financial literacy programs for at–risk women and for students in grades 4 to 6. Learn the basics of banking, budgeting and money management to set yourself up for success.

Investing Basics and Investment Fraud Reporting

The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) features a wealth of free, unbiased investing basics information, including articles, videos, quizzes, guides, free in-person and virtual investing workshops, and the ability to check the registration of any individual, firm, or trading platform you plan to work with.

Financial Literacy Quiz

Take this self-assessment quiz from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada to see how your financial literacy skills and knowledge measure up.

Canada Financial Literacy Programs

Personal finance is about deciding what you want to do and planning how you're going to do it. Whatever your plans — work, travel, trades training, university, college — making smart decisions about money starting now can help you get there.

Financial Literacy Games

Next Gen Personal Finance, an American non-profit, has developed a web arcade filled with financial literacy games addressing topics like budgeting, student debt, predatory loans, and more.

The Budget Game

This game from the UK challenges you to manage your money for 3 months. There are bills to pay, food and travel to budget for, plus loads of fun things to spend your money on. Get it right and your happiness will soar, but spend too much and you’ll have a financial headache.

Government of Canada Budgeting for Student Life

Being a student can be stressful even without having to worry about money. Knowing that you have a plan in place to minimize your financial stress can help you focus on your studies.