MADISON, Wis. — UW Credit Union said it is partnering with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to offer eligible Wisconsin high school students a free, college-credit personal finance course designed to satisfy the state’s new financial literacy graduation requirement/
According to UW Credit Union, the initiative, called “Dual Credit, Zero Debt,” will subsidize the cost of UW-Green Bay’s three-credit “Introduction to Personal Finance” (FIN 182) course for qualifying credit union members in grades 9-12.
The program was developed in response to Wisconsin Act 60, which requires public high school students to complete a standalone financial literacy course before graduating. The asynchronous online course allows students to complete coursework on their own schedules while earning transferable college credit.
Bridging the ‘Gap’
“While free financial literacy resources exist, they rarely offer direct college credit,” Erin Bykowski, community impact and financial education manager at UW Credit Union, said in a statement. “Dual Credit, Zero Debt bridges this gap by combining essential life skills with academic advancement. Early education, especially in today’s fast-paced digital world, can provide a solid foundation for wealth-building habits while boosting money management confidence.”
According to UW Credit Union, the semester-long course teaches students how to assess their financial situations, establish goals and develop financial plans. Topics include:
- Cash management and budgeting.
- Credit management.
- Insurance and employee benefits.
- Long-term savings and investing.
- Tax planning.
- Identity theft protection.
Exposure to College
Madeline VanGroll, director of advancement and donor relations at UW-Green Bay, said the partnership gives students early exposure to college coursework while helping them develop financial skills before entering college or the workforce.
“This unique partnership introduces students to higher-level coursework before they immerse themselves in college life,” VanGroll said. “The UW Credit Union sponsorship allows us to meet more students exactly where they are, while saving their families approximately $600.”
Preview of Course
UW Credit Union said it recently previewed the course for Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Wendy Bauman during a visit to the credit union’s Madison headquarters. The discussion included Wisconsin’s financial education landscape and implementation of the state’s unfunded Act 60 mandate.
The course will run from Jan. 27 through May 14.
According to the credit union, sponsorship applications open immediately and are due by Sept. 30. Applicants must be current UW Credit Union members, enrolled in grades 9-12 at a Wisconsin school and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students selected for sponsorship will be notified by the UW-Green Bay Dual Enrollment Access Academy by Oct. 16. The credit union said enrollment is limited, with a waitlist to be created once available seats are filled.
