Global Classrooms, Local Change by Dolapo

Global Classrooms, Local Change by Dolapo - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could choose one elective or extracurricular activity to become a required class in every high school, it would be Financial Literacy. In a world where students are constantly told to prepare for their future, it’s ironic how little time is spent teaching us how to handle one of the most important aspects of adult life—money.

Many of my peers, me included, have taken advanced classes in math, science, and literature. Yet very few of us graduate with an understanding of how credit works, how to file taxes, how to budget, or how to manage student loans. The gap between academic knowledge and practical life skills is wide and that gap can have lifelong consequences. I've seen friends sign up for credit cards they didn’t fully understand or take out loans without realizing how repayment would impact them for years. This isn’t due to laziness or irresponsibility—it’s due to a lack of education.

A mandatory course in Financial Literacy would provide the foundational knowledge needed to thrive in the real world. It would cover essentials like budgeting, saving, understanding interest, managing debt, investing basics, and planning for retirement. These are not just “nice-to-know” topics—they are crucial. Financial struggles are one of the leading causes of stress, anxiety, and even relationship strain among adults. Imagine how much of that could be prevented if we were given the tools earlier in life.

Beyond personal finances, this class could include role-playing real-life situations—like renting an apartment, applying for a job, or buying a car—so students can build confidence and critical thinking skills. And with the rise of the gig economy, entrepreneurship, and digital banking, understanding financial tools is more important than ever before.

Incorporating financial literacy into the required curriculum would not only empower students to take control of their financial futures—it would also promote equality. Not every student comes from a household where financial topics are openly discussed or understood. Making this a required course would help level the playing field, giving every student—regardless of background—a fair chance at economic independence.

In short, we prepare students to chase their dreams. Let’s also prepare them to fund those dreams. A required Financial Literacy course is no longer optional, it’s essential.