MIAMI — Students at Miami Edison High School were recognized for their outstanding work and completion of the BankUnited Financial Scholars Program.

Through the program, students become certified in more than 600 topics in financial education, allowing them to become more informed, responsible citizens.

“Before taking this course I didn’t know how to fill out a W2 or that paying just one bill late could affect my credit score,” said Gary Smith Jr., a senior at Miami Edison High School. “But now I really feel prepared to make good financial decisions in my future.”

The 10-unit course offers over six hours of programming aimed at teaching, assessing and certifying students in a variety of financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k’s and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards – and it’s all done through a web-based program.

The system, from EverFi Inc. ,tracks the progress and performance of every student and provides students who successfully complete the course with certification in Financial Literacy.

“It is more important than ever to empower Florida students with the skills to make sound financial decisions,” said Miami Edison High School Principal Trynegwa K. Diggs. “We are proud to offer the BankUnited Financial Scholars Program to our students to ensure a brighter and more successful future.”

At their graduation, about 70 students participated in a Financial Literacy Bowl, answering questions correctly to win water bottle sleeves, back packs and Subway gift cards.

Through the partnership with EverFi and BankUnited, more than 3,000 students in Miami-Dade and Broward counties since 2011 have gained critical financial literacy education, said BankUnited Market President Eris Sandler.

“BankUnited is committed to giving students the tools to build a better financial future and we are proud to bring this innovative program to Florida schools,” Sandler said.