High School Financial Literacy: Student Loans- Life Skills for College

This Student Loan Lesson for High School Applied Math & Financial Literacy (with worksheets) teaches your students about student loans in Canada and the USA.

It is full of important life skills, applied math, and financial literacy concepts that your students will really need to know as they get ready to leave high school!

Your students will solve real-world applied math problems using middle school math skills (percentages) to calculate realistic student loan payments in everyday situations on the worksheets. They will also get to try using a web-based student loan calculator (I have included the link).

How to Use:

• Go through the handout together as a class. Teach relevant vocabulary and regulations, and then ask your students to research the pros & cons of student loans.

• Using the graphic organizer on page two, give your students time to research the student loan rules in your area (independently or in pairs).

• Take some time to look at the sample math problem together. Then give students time to complete the rest of the math questions.

• They need to have access to an online student loan payment calculator.

• Review the answers and your students’ reflections and opinions as a class.

What’s Included: 7-Page PDF: Ready to Print and Use!

1. Teacher Instructions

2. Handout that teaches what student loans are, their basic rules and regulations, and the pros & cons of getting them.

3. Research Graphic Organizer for your students to find out about the student loans in their province or state.

4. 2-Page Worksheet with practice math problems using percentages and reflection prompts.

5. Complete Answer Key

Grades to Use With:

This lesson is designed for high school students in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in a variety of classes:

• Family & Consumer Sciences

• Applied Math

• Consumer Math

• Financial Literacy

• Life Skills

• Career & Personal Planning

An understanding of grade 6 & 7 Math Skills (decimal operations & percents) is needed to complete this lesson.