Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge
2026 Competition Dates
Online Qualification Round 1: January 1, 2026-February 20, 2026
Arkansas Economics Challenge Finals: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: Approximately 9:30 am -2:30 pm
Location: University of Central Arkansas
Economics Arkansas is pleased to host the 2026 Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge. Arkansas teachers can register teams of 3-4 students who will compete against other teams from around the state. Winning teams will receive cash prizes and the 1st place team will advance to the National Personal Finance Challenge in Atlanta, Georgia May 31-June 1, 2026.
Round 1 will consist of an online test:
- Teachers may roster teams of 3-4 students to participate in an online test of economic knowledge on or before February 20, 2026.
- Each school may have multiple teams compete in round 1, but only 1 team from each division is eligible to advance.
- The top-scoring teams in each division will be announced on February 24, 2026. These teams will advance to the finals for a chance to compete for cash prizes. Only one team per school/per division can advance to the finals. Economics Arkansas will provide $1,500 toward travel to the event.
The state finals competition will consist of two components:
A testing portion: During the Challenge, students will showcase their knowledge as they complete a personal finance challenge. Students test individually and their scores are averaged for a team total.
Team Presentations: Teams will receive information about the topic for the Team Presentation in advance of the competition. They will prepare a 6-minute presentation on the topic, print copies of their presentation, and be prepared to share and answer questions in front of judges.
View complete rules and a sample case study here.
Click here to find a toolkit of ways to prepare for the Personal Finance Challenge.
| Personal Finance Challenge | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $500 (split among team members) |
| 2nd Place | $300 (split among team members) |
| 3rd Place | $150 (split among team members) |
| Top 3 students TEST | $25 each |
| 1st Place Teacher | $100 |
| 2nd Place Teacher | $75 |
| 3rd Place Teacher | $50 |
2025 Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge Winners
Sponsors
The Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge is generously sponsored by title sponsor First Security Bank. Thank you.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact kathleen@economicsarkansas.org for more information.
ADE Crosswalk
The Arkansas Personal Finance Challenge aligns with the following Arkansas Department of Education-approved courses, topics, and events:
Business & Marketing Course(s):
- 491990 - Personal Finance
DECA, Inc.
- Personal Financial Literacy (PFL)
- Virtual Business Challenge - Personal Finance (VBCPF)
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA):
- Virtual Business Personal Finance Challenge
- Personal Finance
- Introduction to Financial Math Securities & Invesments
