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This distinctive three phased competition is designed exclusively for undergraduate degree programs registered with CFP Board.

 

In the first phase of the competition, all student teams will be given profiles for two hypothetical clients and must prepare a comprehensive financial plan. After the first phase is judged and awarded, the top eight teams will advance to the next phases of the competition to be held in the fall. All teams must orally present their case studies to a panel of judges and participate in the "How Do You Know?" Challenge. The top three winning teams will be awarded a monetary scholarship for their school.​ Judges will be selected by each presenting organization and will assess student teams on demonstrating the CFP Board Financial Plan Development Course requirement.

In recognition for the hours of research, application and presentation preparation, CFP Board will provide each team member hours toward the Experience requirement leading to certification. Students participating in phase 1 will be awarded 20 hours.

 

Congratulations to the 2024 Phase 1 Finalists!

The Ohio State University

Pennsylvania Western University

Texas A&M University

Texas Tech University

University of Arizona

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Utah

Utah Valley University 
 

2024 Competition Timeline

June 7 – Phase 1 Case Submission Deadline

July 29 – Top 8 Student Teams Announced

Week of July 29 – Academic Advisor Conference Call

September 17 – Orientation

September 18 – Phase 2: Financial Planning Case Study Oral Presentations

September 19 – Phase 3: "How Do You Know?" Challenge

September 18-20 – Students Participate in Annual Conference Networking and Learning Opportunities

 

Competition Materials

2024 Case Study

Additional Case Documentation 

Financial Planning Challenge Guidelines​

Registration Form

Phase 1: Grading Rubric

Phase 2: Presentation Grading Rubric

 

Eligibility​

Teams may consist of up to thre​​e undergraduate students. Students may not participate in more than one team.

All participating students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program registered with CFP Board as of May 1 or spring semester.

Students considered graduate students by their school may not participate.

Each team must be represented by an Academic Advisor throughout the competition.

Students are prohibited from seeking advice from professionals or from persons not participating in the challenge.

Limit one team per school.

Additional details can be found in the Financial Planning Challenge Guidelines.

 

Awards

The top eight (8) student teams based on their Phase 1 score. These teams will advance to the final phases of the competition held in conjunction with FPA Annual Conference. Teams will be provided roundtrip airfare/transportation, lodging, $75 gift card, complimentary FPA Annual Conference registration, 1 year of FPA membership plus 60 hours toward the Experience requirement leading to certification.

In addition, the top three (3) teams will be awarded the following:

1st Place Overall: $10,000 scholarship for their school and full scholarship to FPA's highly acclaimed Residency Program.

2nd Place Overall: $5,000 scholarship for their school

3rd Place Overall: $1,000 scholarship for their school

 

Previous Finalists and Case Studies

2023 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place- Texas Tech University; Second Place - University of Akron; Third Place - University of Arizona
2023 Case Study 

2022 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - Utah Valley University; Second Place - Kansas State University; Third Place - Fort Hays State University 

2022 Case Study

2021 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - Texas Tech University; Second Place - Kansas State University; Third Place - Fort Hays State University 

2021 Case Study

2020 Financial Planning Challenge 

Finalists: First Place - Texas Tech University; Second Place - Utah Valley University; Third Place - University of Wisconsin
2020 Case Study 

2019 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - Utah Valley University; Second Place - Kansas State University; Third Place - Texas Tech University
2019 Case Study

2018 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - Texas Tech University; Second Place - Utah Valley University; Third Place - Kansas State University
2018 Case Study​ 

2017 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - Utah Valley University; Second Place - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Third Place - Texas A&M University
2017 Case Study​ 

2016 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - William Paterson University; Second Place - The University of Akron; Third Place: Kansas State University
2016 Case Study​

2015 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - Kansas State University; Second Place - The University of Akron; Third Place: Utah Valley University
2015 Case Study

2014 Financial Planning Challenge

Finalists: First Place - The University of Akron; Second Place - Utah Valley University; Third Place: William Paterson University
2014 Case Study​