The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) announced a major milestone for its Mind Over Money Skills Online Financial Literacy Certificate Program. Since launching in August 2024, SFEPD has issued more than 5,500 digital certificates to college students nationwide, demonstrating strong demand for accessible, high-quality financial education, particularly among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The program’s rapid growth and impact have also led to the addition of the analytics software leader FICO as a new funder, strengthening SFEPD’s ability to expand programming and reach even more HBCU students with essential financial knowledge and skills.
Designed to meet students where they are, the Mind Over Money Skills Online Certificate is an eight-module, self-paced program that covers core personal finance topics including budgeting, saving, banking, credit, investing, debt management, student loans, and financial goal-setting. Participants who complete all modules and earn a score of 70% or higher on assessments receive a digital badge credential issued through Credly, an industry-leading credentialing platform. The badge can be shared on LinkedIn and other professional platforms, helping students signal financial capability and career readiness to employers.
“Reaching more than 5,500 certificate earners in such a short period of time confirms what we’ve long believed: students are eager for practical, culturally relevant financial education,” said Ted Daniels, Founder and President of SFEPD. “With FICO joining us as a funder, we can deepen our impact at HBCUs and continue to equip students with the tools they need to build long-term financial well-being.”
FICO’s support reflects a shared commitment to improving financial literacy and economic mobility, particularly for historically underserved student populations. With this new funding, SFEPD plans to broaden outreach at HBCUs, support student engagement efforts, and scale access to the Mind Over Money Skills certificate nationwide.
“Financial education is a critical foundation for opportunity and economic empowerment,” said Rukiya Kelly, head of corporate impact and engagement at FICO. “We are proud to support SFEPD’s Mind Over Money Skills program and its focus on reaching HBCU students with relevant, actionable financial knowledge.”
SFEPD has a longstanding commitment to serving HBCU students through in-person and virtual programming, including its nationally recognized Student Ambassador Program and financial literacy initiatives delivered on campuses across the country. The success of the Mind Over Money Skills Online Certificate builds on this legacy, offering a scalable solution that complements SFEPD’s on-the-ground work.
To learn more about the Mind Over Money Skills Online Financial Literacy Certificate Program or to enroll, visit sfepd.org/flc.
About The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development
The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing financial literacy, economic mobility, and leadership development among individuals, with a strong focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through innovative programs, partnerships, and research-backed education, SFEPD equips individuals and students with the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong financial success. The four pillars in which SFEPD provides financial education are colleges/Universities, faith-based organizations, workplace and the community.
About FICO
FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 80 countries do everything from protecting 4 billion payment cards from fraud, to improving financial inclusion, to increasing supply chain resiliency. The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top U.S. lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the US and has been made available in over 40 other countries, improving risk management, credit access and transparency.
Learn more at www.fico.com.
SFEPD Media Contact:
Melissa Schnur / melissa.schnur@sfepd.org
FICO Media Contact: