How to Reward Good Grades with Fern

May 15, 2025

Helping kids succeed in school isn’t just about homework and report cards—it’s about building motivation, responsibility, and real-world skills. That’s where Fern comes in. Fern is our family-friendly app that connects your account to your child’s, making it easy to set goals, track progress, and reward achievements—all while teaching smart money habits. Whether your child is working toward better grades or learning to manage their allowance, Fern turns everyday wins into lifelong lessons.

Here’s how to use Fern to reward good grades and build great habits.

1. Set Academic Goals Together

Start by sitting down with your child to set clear, achievable goals. Fern makes this easy with customizable goal-setting features.

Example:
“Raise math grade from B to A by the end of the semester”
“Complete all homework this week without reminders”

When kids help set their own goals, they feel more ownership—and more motivation to reach them.

2. Reward Progress with Real Incentives

Fern lets you link your account to your child’s, so you can send rewards instantly when they hit a milestone. Use a tiered system to keep them engaged over time.

Examples:

$2 for completing weekly homework
$5 for getting an A on a test
$50 bonus for straight As at the end of the semester

3. Make It Fun with Gamification

Fern isn’t just about money—it’s about motivation. Kids can choose avatars, earn trophies, and build streaks for consistent effort. These visual rewards help keep them excited and engaged.

Example:
Earn a trophy for completing all assignments on time for a month.

4. Teach Smart Money Habits

Every reward is a chance to learn. Fern helps kids track their earnings, set savings goals, and build simple budgets—all within the app.

Example:
Your child earns $10 for a great report card and decides to save $5, spend $3, and donate $2. That’s real-world financial literacy in action.

5. Reflect and Celebrate

At the end of each goal period, take a moment to reflect. What worked? What was challenging? Fern makes it easy to review progress and celebrate success.

Start Using Fern Today

With Fern, your child will learn that hard work pays off—literally. It’s more than just an app; it’s a tool for building confidence, responsibility, and financial smarts. Log in to sign up for Fern for free in Digital Banking or the Columbia CU app today.