
Financial Education Challenge
For those who have completed applicable coursework from a regionally-accredited college or university.
Is this Pathway right for me?
Do you have a degree or certificate in personal finance, financial planning, financial counseling, consumer sciences or something similar?
The Financial Education Challenge Pathway may be right for you!
Through this pathway, you may be eligible to use your educational background to fulfill the education requirements for the AFC® Certification.
Am I Eligible for the Financial Education Challenge?
To determine your eligibility, you’ll start by submitting your registration form, including documentation of completed upper-division coursework in personal finance, financial planning, financial counseling, consumer sciences or another comparable discipline through a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. You will complete an application outlining which course(s) specifically meet each AFC Core Competency.
We will review your transcript and process your application within 30 business days. Once we determine whether the educational requirement has been fulfilled, we’ll send you written notification, including instructions for either scheduling the AFCPE® examination or completing additional educational requirements.
University coursework must be no older than 7 years to qualify for the Education Challenge. If coursework is older than 7 years, you may still qualify if you have been working full-time in the financial services field for at least 4 of the last 7 years or part-time in the financial services field for at least 5 of the last 7 years (validated through an Employment Verification Form).
Explore Education Materials
Several education materials are offered to support you on your journey to earning your AFC. Choose which materials work best for your learning style.



A supplementary tool to support your preparation for the AFC® certification examination! The guide is now included with the self-study pathway and available as an add-on for all other pathways. It is designed to guide you through the material, providing you with additional tools and resources to develop your skills, test your comprehension, and put your knowledge into practice!
Let our qualified instructors help you connect the dots between the AFC® core competencies and the application of the material.
AFC® webinar review sessions are designed to give you confidence and clarity as you prepare to sit for the AFC exam.
- Live instruction and comprehensive review of the material
- Opportunity to ask questions
- More connection to study with your peers
Financial Counseling, Personal Finance, Surviving Debt (textbooks).
Certification Pricing
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
Registration Fee: $100
One-time fee due upfront during registration. Includes the price of your transcript review.
Education Materials: $675
Comes with the AFC® Online Study Guide and includes your choice of study materials. Extra materials available for an additional fee.
Exam Fee: $730
Fee to take the AFC® Exam. Can be purchased during registration or later.
Ready to Get Started? Choose Your Bundle!
You’ll start by submitting your registration form with payment to the AFCPE® national office. We will process the registration and either mail you your study materials or send you an email with instructions to access online materials. (Please allow 14 business days for shipping and handling.)
You can then study for the examination using the selected study materials.
Pay Exam Fee Later
Pay Exam Fee Up Front
Classic Study Bundle
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Registration Fee
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AFC® Exam Fee
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AFC® Online Study Guide
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Recommended Textbooks
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AFC® Webinar Review
Complete Study Bundle
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Registration Fee
-
AFC® Exam Fee
-
AFC® Online Study Guide
-
Recommended Textbooks
-
AFC® Webinar Review
Classic Study Bundle
-
Registration Fee
-
AFC® Exam Fee
-
AFC® Online Study Guide
-
Recommended Textbooks
-
AFC® Webinar Review
Complete Study Bundle
-
Registration Fee
-
AFC® Exam Fee
-
AFC® Online Study Guide
-
Recommended Textbooks
-
AFC® Webinar Review
Education and exam fees are paid separately. Certification registration fee is non-refundable. Please view AFCPE®‘s Refund Policy for more details.
Optional course reviews are available through AFCPE® upon request for $675 and optional study guides are available for $100. Books and materials that ship outside the U.S. will incur a $35 international shipping charge.
The Certification Council does not require, provide, accredit, or endorse any specific study guides, training or review courses, or other examination preparation products. The Certification Council, certification staff, certification committee members, and certification subject matter experts do not have involvement in the creation, accreditation, approval, endorsement or delivery of examination review courses, preparatory materials, educational programs, or training programs/products that prepare candidates for the AFC certification examination.
Not Sure Which Pathway is Best for You?
Register for a free AFC® Info Session
Join our Certification Team for a no-pressure, informative session to get all the information you need to make your decision!
Our info sessions are held monthly from 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET. Recordings are available to registered attendees.
Or, send us an email at certification@afcpe.org to discuss your options.
Explore Other Pathways
Self-Study
Registered Education Programs
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