The 3rd Decade Access Project
Expanding "Access" To Financial Education and Mentoring for All
Now Enrolling for 2026
Building Financial Capability For Everyone
3rd Decade Access was built to provide those who are outside of our normal eligibility range with access to all the knowledge, tools, resources, and support you’ll need to build financial capability.
This combination of financial education, one-on-one financial mentoring, and personalized guidance is designed to support you through the basics, like paying off student loans, planning for retirement, buying a house, saving for a vacation, as well as working with you to achieve financial goals you may not have thought possible.
Why should you enroll in 3rd Decade Access?
- It’s Free: The only cost to you is your time.
- Virtual Programming: You can participate from wherever life finds you!
- Fiduciary Practices: You will never be pushed to buy “financial” products.
- Personalized Financial Plans: You’ll get a clear picture of your finances and step-by-step guidance to achieve your goals.
The best part? You’ll receive long-term mentoring over two years to ensure you receive continuous support, become financially literate, and can confidently achieve your financial goals, whatever they may be.
Your 3rd Decade Access Journey
Join
Today
Register for 3rd Decade's Personal Finance Program to start your financial journey.
Our program enrolls on a quarterly basis, with new cohorts beginning every January, April, July, and October.
Financial Education
Months 1-2
You'll benefit from 8 on-demand modules totaling 10 hours of key financial education. Learn about personal financial basics as well as insurance, taxes, homeownership, and more.
Financial Mentoring
Months 3-24
Take advantage of 3, one-on-one sessions with a Volunteer Financial Mentor who will answer all your questions, help you understand your finances, support your goals, and provide you with actionable financial guidance.
Eligibility
3rd Decade Access is for you if...
- You live in the United States.
- You are 18-40 years old at the time of applying.*
- You are eligible to contribute a minimum of $1.00 to a Roth IRA. (Learn More)
AND
- Born outside of the United States
- Currently utilizes government benefits (State-Funded Health Insurance, SNAP Benefits, Cash Assistance, WIC, etc.)
- Experienced homelessness in childhood or adulthood (or participated in a program like Youth on Their Own)
- First-generation high school graduate, college graduate, or current college student
- Former Foster Child
- Formerly incarcerated or part of the juvenile justice system
- Participated in an ESL Program in school (English as a Second Language)
- Raised in a single-parent household
- Received a Pell Grant in college for one or more semesters
- Received government benefits in childhood (State-Funded Health Insurance, SNAP Benefits, Cash Assistance, WIC, etc.)
- Received or was eligible for free or reduced lunch in grade school
- WAS or IS a Dreamer or DACA recipient
*3rd Decade Access is for individuals whose income is OVER the Core Program threshold OR are older than 35 at the time of application. If you are between 18-35 years old AND your individual income is less than $75,000 or your household income is less than $150,000, please click here to apply to the core 3rd Decade Program.
Upcoming Cohorts
2026 Cohorts
- Quarter 1: January – Closed
- Quarter 2: April – Closed
- Quarter 3: July – Now Accepting Applications
- Quarter 4: October
We enroll on a quarterly basis and accept new applications year-round. You will be added to a waitlist until the next onboarding cycle.
