Financial Education in High School: A Study of the Financial Behavior of Students at a Private School in Santa Maria-RS

Objective: This article aims to assess the financial behavior of high school students enrolled in a private school in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, regarding their knowledge of personal finance. Theoretical Framework: The research framework included a literature review on financial education, financial literacy, and financial mathematics. Method: The method adopted was a quantitative and qualitative descriptive study, with data obtained through a questionnaire administered to a sample of 73 students. The study was based on problem situations adapted from the Anísio Teixeira National Institute of Educational Studies and Research (INEP) questionnaire and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) financial literacy questionnaire, among other studies. Results and Discussion: The results and discussion indicated that most of the students surveyed demonstrated an awareness of their income and knowledge of managing their personal finances. On the other hand, they were unable to differentiate between gross and net salaries, nor the effects of compound interest and inflation on holidays. Originality/Value: The originality of the research stands out, involving Financial Education with high school students.