Financial Literacy

Each family in the Step Program must have one adult family member complete a financial literacy course by the end of the first year of participation. To fulfill this requirement, AHFC provides families with four options. If you need help with any of these steps, you can visit your local AHFC office or call 877-AKGOALS (877-254-6257) toll free for assistance.

Option 1: Complete a Financial Literacy Course

There are many financial literacy and money management courses offered throughout Alaska. Please check the AHFC website or contact AHFC staff to assist you with selecting a course that meets AHFC objectives. The steps to complete this option:

  1. Check the AHFC website to register and complete the monthly online Money $ense class: https://www.ahfc.us/tenants/jumpstart/class-calendar OR
  2. Enroll in and complete another financial literacy/money management course in the community.
  3. Provide AHFC with documentation that you have completed the course: either a certificate of completion or a letter from the organization providing the course with the date of the course, your name, and their signature.

Option 2: FDIC’s Money Smart Program

To complete this option, you will log into Money Smart (an FDIC-sponsored program) and complete four online training games resulting in a certificate for each.

These games will help you learn about everyday financial topics. The steps to complete this option:

  1. Go to: https://playmoneysmart.fdic.gov/games.
  2. Click Login to “Create an account” or to login if you already have an account. You must do this before you click on any games.
  3. Select a game per category below. Select one from each of the four Money Smart topic areas:
    • Earn:          Your Income and Expenses
    • Spend:       Your Spending and Savings Plan OR Making Housing Decisions, OR Your Money Values and Influences
    • Save:         You Can Bank On It OR Building Your Financial Future OR Your Savings
    • Borrow:     Borrowing Basics OR Buying a Home OR Credit Reports and Scores OR Managing Debt OR Using Credit Cards
  4. After successfully completing each game, print the certificate. You can return to the login page with your user name and password at any time to access the certificates.
  5. Turn in all four certificates to your local AHFC office.

Option 3: Self-Study/Financial Literacy Test

If an adult family member already has strong money management skills, this option is available. The steps to complete this option:

  1. Complete AHFC’s Financial Literacy Test at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZMDHPB.
  2. An AHFC representative will contact the family within thirty (30) days with the result. If the family member fails the test, one of the other options may be completed to meet the requirement.

Option 4: Complete One-on-One Financial Counseling

This option is for families that need one-on-one financial counseling when a barrier to the above three options is present such as English as a Second Language or no internet connectivity. Hours of availability: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Counseling may take up to 3-5 hours over one or more sessions.

  1. Let your AHFC housing assistance or Jumpstart representative know you need one-on-one financial counseling services or call toll free at 1-877-254-6257.
  2. If your language is not English, please state your language, and you will be provided an interpreter.
  3. Once counseling is completed, your AHFC housing assistance representative will be notified.