Eight teams of college students will test their financial planning knowledge at the FPA Annual Conference this September.

Designed for undergraduate finance degree programs registered with the CFP Board, The Financial Planning Challenge is intended to support the next generation of financial planners by engaging students and program directors; raising awareness of career opportunities; and encouraging learning and networking in the financial planning profession.

The Financial Planning Association, Ameriprise Financial and the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards will jointly sponsor the competition to  be held at the upcoming FPA Annual Conference in Seattle on Sept. 20–22.

In this year's three-stage event, 14 teams competed with the following eight advancing to the final rounds; Kansas State, Texas A&M, University of Akron, University of Georgia, Utah Valley University, Virginia Tech, Western Carolina University, and William Paterson University.

Teams advance in the final round of the challenge by competing in the following phases:
• Written financial planning case study.
• Case study presentation.
• “How Do You Know?” challenge, a game-show style financial planning knowledge contest.

The top three winning teams will receive a monetary scholarship for their school.

“The Financial Planning Challenge has been a highlight of the FPA Annual Conference for several years,” said Lauren M. Schadle, FPA executive director and CEO. “It presents a wonderful opportunity for participating students to share their knowledge of financial planning and meet those who have been instrumental in the forging of the profession.”