Building Our Foundation by Joseph

Building Our Foundation by Joseph - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

Many of the subjects we learn in High School are nothing short of incredible: physics, calculus, and computer science for example. With such great classes, it’s bewildering to think that a concept as simple as planning your future is left out. According to a study done by the Huffington Post, a majority, 62 percent of those asked, said they believe most people are not able to afford the cost of a public college education. While this is unfortunately true, it is also preventable.

In High School, students should learn how to organize and spend their finances so that they can avoid thousands of dollars of student loan debts. A program that teaches about financial planning and the many ways students can get money for college would drastically help families who believe that they are forced to take out hefty loans or that they are unable to even send their loved ones to college.

A financial planning course for High School students would undoubtedly teach students how to strategically manage their finances for college and even for life beyond graduation. Too often have I heard High School and even College students say, “What’s a mortgage?” “How do you pay bills?” or “How do I invest my money?” These questions and countless financial mistakes can easily be avoided by providing a financial planning course, a course that I believe should definitely be added to the American high school curriculum.