April is National Financial Literacy Month 2016
National Financial Literacy Month is recognized in the United States in April in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits. Financial Literacy Month evolved from Youth Financial Literacy Day, introduced by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) more than a decade ago as an activity of its High School Financial Planning Program. NEFE turned Financial Literacy Day over to the Jump$tart Coalition to promote among its network of national partners and state coalitions. Jump$tart expanded the day and in 2000, began promoting April as Financial Literacy for Youth Month. In 2003, the United States Senate designated April as Financial Literacy for Youth Month. In March 2004, the Senate passed Resolution 316 that officially recognized April as National Financial Literacy Month, and both Houses of Congress have passed similar resolutions each year since then.
In 2010, President Obama issued a proclamation reasserting the importance of personal financial literacy for all Americans. Financial Literacy Month is an opportunity for financial corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies to promote educational initiatives and resources. In 2012, President Obama first proclaimed April National Financial Capability Month. The Jump$tart Coalition, Junior Achievement, and the Council for Economic Education founded “Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill” in 2003, which has since been held every April. Financial Literacy Day offers the Members of Congress, their staffers, and the general public an opportunity to learn about the financial literacy effort and experience educational products from more than 60 sponsors and exhibitors—most of which are Jump$tart partners.
