Show Me the Money (Skills!): Minnesota Students Take the Challenge
Steve Lear served as a judge at the 2026 Personal Finance Challenge State Competition at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, helping evaluate and inspire the next generation of financially savvy leaders. Hosted annually by the Minnesota Council on Economic Education (MCEE), this engaging event offers high school students an opportunity to practice real-world skills in managing money and solving problems. Here’s an up-close look at this popular competition:
Who is eligible to compete?
All Minnesota high school students can participate in the Challenge. Teachers can register as many teams as they like, with 3-4 students on each team.
What areas of personal finance are tested?
Students showcase their money management skills across six areas:
- earning income
- spending
- saving
- investing
- managing credit
- managing risk
How does the Personal Finance Challenge Work?
Teams have the opportunity to compete in up to three rounds:
Online Test: In the first round, students complete a 30-question test about money management, credit, investing, and insurance. From this qualifying round, about 12 teams with the highest scores advance to the state finals.
State Competition: There are two events. The first one features critical thinking as students analyze a case study and present recommendations to a panel of judges. The top four highest-scoring schools then advance to a quiz bowl round to answer questions on personal finance. The team earning the most points in the quiz bowl round represents Minnesota at the National Personal Finance Challenge competition.
National Competition: Teams that reach the final round use their knowledge to create a financial plan for a fictional family. The top 16 teams in the national finals advance to compete in a quiz bowl for the national championship title.
The 2026 State Competition Results: Congratulations to this year’s top four teams!
- Mounds View High School
- Stillwater Area High School
- Hopkins High School
- Cambridge-Isanti High School
As Mounds View took the top spot, their team will advance to represent Minnesota in the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, GA, on May 31-June 1.
As one of MCEE’s most popular student programs, The Personal Finance Challenge lets students see how their lives are shaped by the financial decisions they make today.
These experiential learning events help students hone their critical thinking and communication skills as they apply their financial knowledge to real-life scenarios. Steve finds it rewarding to champion financial literacy as a competition judge and encourages other industry professionals to consider volunteering.
You can learn more about MCEE’s student competitions at https://www.mcee.umn.edu/programs/competitions
Judges, thank you so much for being part of the 2026 Minnesota Personal Finance Challenge!… Because of you, students had the opportunity to think critically, present their ideas, and receive meaningful feedback from professionals. It makes a lasting impact, and we are so grateful.
~ Brigitta Bergquist, Education Director, Grades 9-12, MCEE
