Bring the NAPFA Financial Planning Competition to Your Students

A real-world case, feedback from practicing fiduciary advisors, and a trip to the NAPFA 2027 National Conference for the winners.

Why programs participate

Real-world practice. Students build and present a comprehensive plan for a realistic client case. It's the same work they'll do in practice.
Feedback from practitioners. Experienced fee-only advisors judge every submission, and finalists get one-on-one mentoring.
Fits your second semester. The case is released in the first week of January, and winners are announced in mid-April. Several professors have built the case study into their curriculum. It gives students a meaningful project and lightens the instructional load.
A national stage. The winning student or team receives paid travel and registration for the NAPFA 2027 National Conference, May 5–8, in San Diego, CA.

Teams of one or two students
Open to students in CFP Board Registered Programs nationwide, and to program graduates studying for the CFP® exam
15–20 minute video presentations; no written plan required
Judged on the eight CFP Board knowledge domains, advanced planning techniques, creativity, and presentation skills, using a rubric modeled on registered-program grading
Multiple teams per school welcome

Now through the first week of January 2027: Students sign up
First week of January 2027: Case study released
Late February: Initial submissions due
Early March: Finalists announced and paired with mentors
Early April: Final submissions due
Mid-April: Winners announced
May 5–8, 2027: Winners attend the NAPFA 2027 National Conference in San Diego

Share it with your students. Download the flyer or send them to the student page
Preview the format. Review a past case study to see whether it fits your course.
Find answers. Watch the FAQ video
Invite a speaker. NAPFA advisors can visit your class to talk about fee-only planning and their careers. Email membership@napfa.org with your preferred dates.

Questions? Email membership@napfa.org