Why I think Personal Finance should be required for high school. by Dallas

Why I think Personal Finance should be required for high school. by Dallas - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

As I head into my senior year, I realize just how valuable it is to be taking a Personal Finance class. It’s not just another subject, it’s a real opportunity to gain life skills most people don’t learn until they’re adults, and sometimes not even then. That’s why I believe Personal Finance should be required for all high school students. We will be learning the ideal principles of managing money, how CREDIT works, how to file taxes and what it really takes to live on your own independently. I’ve seen people around me, including family and even adults, struggle with money because they weren’t taught these basics early on. Also me being 17 and having a job I do understand the limitations of spending your money which ease as a lot of teenagers or young adolescences see that as a opportunity to blow away their money which is sad. It’s kind of crazy that we spend years in school learning about Algebra 2 and United States History (which are important too), but not how to open a bank account or understand a paycheck. Personal Finance teaches things that apply to every student’s future, no matter what career they want. Whether someone goes to college, joins a trade, or jumps straight into work, money will always be part of life. This is not just a regulatory old class but a start of preparation and a foundation into life.