Program Schedule
8 Weeks to Financial Freedom
A detailed week-by-week breakdown of the Power of Credit 101 curriculum — every session, every objective, every deliverable.
W1
Week 1
Orientation & Baseline Assessment
Welcome, introductions, and establishing a baseline understanding of each participant's financial knowledge and goals.
Objectives
- Complete program intake and enrollment paperwork
- Establish individual financial goals
- Understand program expectations and code of conduct
- Take baseline financial literacy assessment
Activities
- Welcome circle and introductions
- Program overview presentation
- Baseline financial literacy quiz
- Goal-setting worksheet
Materials
- Enrollment packet
- Program handbook
- Goal-setting worksheet
Deliverables
- Completed intake forms
- Signed code of conduct
- Personal financial goals statement
Assessments:Baseline financial literacy assessment · Personal goal-setting form
W2
Week 2
Module 1 — Intro to Credit & Financial Literacy
Build foundational understanding of credit, credit scores, and why financial literacy is a life-changing skill.
Objectives
- Define credit and explain how credit scores are calculated
- Identify the three major credit bureaus
- Understand the impact of credit on housing, employment, and loans
Activities
- Credit score breakdown lecture
- Credit bureau comparison activity
- Real-world credit impact case studies
- Group discussion: "What does credit mean to you?"
Materials
- Book 1 — Chapter 1
- Credit score infographic
- Module 1 worksheet
Deliverables
- Module 1 worksheet
- Credit bureau comparison chart
Assessments:Module 1 quiz · Reflection journal entry
W3
Week 3
Module 2 — Reading Credit Reports
Empower students to access and interpret their own credit reports with confidence.
Objectives
- Obtain a free credit report
- Identify all sections of a credit report
- Spot errors and understand dispute processes
Activities
- Live credit report walkthrough
- Sample credit report annotation exercise
- Dispute letter writing practice
- Partner review activity
Materials
- Book 1 — Chapter 2
- Sample credit report examples
- Dispute letter template
Deliverables
- Annotated sample credit report
- Personal credit report access confirmation
Assessments:Credit report annotation exercise · Module 2 quiz
W4
Week 4
Module 3 — Credit From the Ground Up
Teach students how to build or rebuild credit using proven, accessible strategies.
Objectives
- Open a secured credit card or credit-builder loan
- Understand authorized user strategies
- Learn the 30% utilization rule
- Create a 6-month credit-building action plan
Activities
- Secured card comparison research
- Authorized user strategy role-play
- Utilization calculation exercises
- Personal credit-building plan workshop
Materials
- Book 1 — Chapter 3
- Credit-building action plan template
- Module 3 worksheet
Deliverables
- 6-month personal credit-building action plan
Assessments:Credit-building plan draft · Module 3 quiz
W5
Week 5
Module 4 — Understanding Interest Rates
Demystify APR, compound interest, and the true long-term cost of debt.
Objectives
- Calculate APR and monthly interest on balances
- Compare loan products and identify predatory lending
- Understand how interest affects long-term wealth
Activities
- APR calculation workshop
- Predatory lending identification activity
- Compound interest simulation
- Loan product comparison exercise
Materials
- Book 1 — Chapter 4
- Interest rate calculator worksheet
- Loan comparison chart
Deliverables
- Completed loan comparison analysis
- Personal debt cost calculation
Assessments:Interest rate calculation quiz · Predatory lending identification exercise
W6
Week 6
Module 5 — Budgeting & Saving
Build practical budgeting skills and savings habits that create lasting financial stability.
Objectives
- Create a monthly budget using the 50/30/20 framework
- Identify spending leaks
- Set up an emergency fund strategy
Activities
- 50/30/20 budget workshop
- Spending audit exercise
- Emergency fund calculator activity
- Savings goal visualization
Materials
- Book 1 — Chapter 5
- Budget template
- Savings tracker worksheet
Deliverables
- Completed personal monthly budget
- Emergency fund savings plan
Assessments:Personal budget draft · Module 5 quiz
W7
Week 7
Module 6 — Credit Cards: Use & Leverage
Teach responsible credit card use as a wealth-building tool, not a debt trap.
Objectives
- Understand credit card terms, fees, and rewards
- Use credit cards to build credit without accumulating debt
- Leverage rewards programs strategically
Activities
- Credit card terms decoding activity
- Rewards program comparison research
- Responsible use simulation
- Credit card myth-busting discussion
Materials
- Book 1 — Chapter 6
- Credit card comparison worksheet
- Module 6 worksheet
Deliverables
- Personal credit card strategy plan
Assessments:Credit card terms quiz · Rewards program analysis
W8
Week 8
Modules 7 & 8 — Establishing a Business + Business Credit
Introduce business formation fundamentals and the pathway to building business credit.
Objectives
- Choose the right business structure
- Register a business and obtain an EIN
- Understand the difference between personal and business credit
- Begin building business credit
Activities
- Business structure comparison workshop
- EIN registration walkthrough
- Business bank account research
- Business credit roadmap activity
- Business plan outline workshop
Materials
- Book 2 — Chapters 1–2
- Business formation checklist
- Business plan template
Deliverables
- Business plan outline
- Business formation action steps checklist
Assessments:Business formation checklist · Business plan outline draft
W9
Week 9
Module 9 — Real Estate Fundamentals & Wealth Building
Introduce real estate as a primary vehicle for generational wealth creation.
Objectives
- Understand the homebuying process from pre-approval to closing
- Learn about FHA and first-time buyer programs
- Explore rental property investment basics
Activities
- Homebuying process walkthrough
- FHA vs. conventional loan comparison
- ROI calculation on rental properties
- Local housing market research activity
Materials
- Book 2 — Chapter 3
- Real estate glossary
- ROI calculation worksheet
Deliverables
- Personal homeownership readiness checklist
- Real estate investment analysis
Assessments:Real estate terminology quiz · ROI calculation exercise
W10
Week 10
Final Project + Graduation
Celebrate growth, present final projects, and launch graduates into their financial futures with a clear action plan.
Objectives
- Present completed business plan
- Demonstrate credit knowledge and personal credit plan
- Connect with mentors and community resources
- Receive graduation certificate
Activities
- Final business plan presentations
- Personal financial plan presentations
- Mentor networking session
- Graduation ceremony and celebration
Materials
- All program materials
- Post-program resource guide
- Mentor contact directory
Deliverables
- Completed business plan
- Personal financial action plan
- Graduation certificate
- Post-program resource packet
Assessments:Final business plan evaluation · Post-program financial literacy assessment · Personal financial plan review