Museum Finance Academy

The MFA is a free, five-class personal finance certificate program offered by MoAF.

Open to high school juniors and seniors nationwide, the MFA is designed to give students the foundational financial knowledge they need to pursue financial independence—on their own terms, at their own pace.

No prior knowledge of finance, business or economics is required. The Museum Finance Academy is for any student who wants to understand how money works and how to make it work for them.

Classes are held virtually over Zoom, making the program accessible to students anywhere in the country. Each session runs 75 minutes and is scheduled to fit around a typical school day. Students who attend all five classes receive a certificate of completion—and the top achievers in each session are awarded merit scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.

What You'll Learn

Over five classes, students will explore the core concepts of personal finance in a structured, engaging format led by Museum educators and finance professionals. Topics include:

  • How to set meaningful financial goals and build a roadmap to achieve them
  • The fundamentals of saving, budgeting and managing everyday expenses
  • How credit works—and how to use it wisely
  • The basics of investing and the power of compounding over time
  • How to recognize and avoid financial scams and predatory practices

Each session also includes a virtual tour of New York's Financial District, connecting the history of American finance to the personal finance concepts students are learning in the classroom.

Who Should Apply

The Museum Finance Academy is open to students currently enrolled in 11th or 12th grade. Students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis and must be able to attend all five classes in their chosen session. Cameras must be on during all classes to qualify for a certificate and scholarship consideration.

Sponsored By

The Museum Finance Academy is made possible through the generous support of Fitch Group.

Sponsor Logo

Registration Information

Current Session — Spring 2026

Enrollment is free and open to all high school juniors and seniors. Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is encouraged.

Students will select one of two sessions and attend all five classes:

  • Monday Session March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026
    4:15 PM ET / 3:15 PM CT
  • Tuesday Session March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2026
    5:45 PM ET / 4:45 PM CT

A Zoom link will be provided to registered students prior to each class. Attendance at all five classes is required. Cameras must be on at all times to qualify for a certificate of completion and scholarship consideration.

Additional Information

    • The Museum Finance Academy is offered twice a year—in the fall and spring semesters.
    • Each semester offers two session options so students can choose the schedule that works best for them.
    • The top four students from each session will be awarded merit scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.
    • Scholarship recipients are selected based on performance and engagement across all five classes and are announced following the completion of each semester.
    • General questions: financeacademy@moaf.org