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Andrew Fahmy, Executive Director, United for Financial Security, an initiative of Orange County United Way

For Maya, it was a brief lesson in her freshman year of high school that first opened her eyes to the importance of managing money. That single class taught her how to open a bank account and create a budget, which were fundamental skills she had never encountered before. It also gave her the confidence to ask questions, talk openly about money, and begin a lifelong pattern of pursuing goals and achieving financial milestones. The impact was immediate; she went home, spoke with her mother, and soon opened her first savings account.

Maya was fortunate to have a teacher who believed financial literacy was essential to their students’ educational journey. However, not all students have this opportunity, nor do all teachers have the chance to integrate financial literacy into their curriculum. Today, Maya is pursuing a graduate degree in physiology and entering her program with a clear budget, a strong credit history, and confidence in her financial decisions.

Maya’s story shows the powerful ripple effect of a single teacher’s commitment to preparing students for the real world. That one lesson set her on a path of financial confidence and long-term success. Unfortunately, not every student gets that experience, and not every teacher has the opportunity to incorporate financial literacy into their curriculum. For many, financial education doesn’t begin until after high school, often at age 18, when they are left to navigate credit, loans, and budgeting on their own, learning through trial and error with lasting consequences.

According to FINRA Foundation’s 2024 National Financial Capability Report, measures of financial capability are lower for younger adults, and they have higher levels of income volatility. This can be a problematic recipe for establishing a credible financial footprint.

The good news is that as a society we have taken steps to ensure that this kind of education, and help, doesn’t continue to come too late. 

California law, AB 2927, which was signed into law in 2024 makes financial literacy a high school graduation requirement starting with the 2027/2028 school year. By 2030/2031, all graduating students will have completed a financial literacy course, and the state is currently developing the curriculum framework that will guide this instruction.

Maya’s journey is a strong example of why early financial literacy matters. She asked the right questions while still in high school, took smart financial steps when she turned 18, and sought additional support by enrolling in SparkPoint OC, Orange County United Way’s Financial Empowerment Program, to help plan her finances as she begins graduate school.

SparkPoint OC connects individuals with dedicated financial case managers who assist in developing realistic budgets, improving credit, increasing income, and reducing debt. Through this personalized support, participants gain the tools and confidence needed to reach their financial goals and build a more secure future for themselves and their families.

The benefits of financial literacy are far-reaching. They extend well beyond individual households to build a stronger, more financially secure society. From reducing crime rates to improving health outcomes and strengthening local economies, early financial education helps create more resilient communities.

The bottom line is this: financial literacy must be treated as essential. That means it should not only be taught in school, but also reinforced in afterschool programs, by sports coaches, around the dinner table, and anywhere a young captive audience exists. Creating a society that openly talks about finances and encourages youth to do the same will lead to a more informed and better prepared adult community.

If we are serious about breaking cycles of poverty, then we must start the conversation early and commit to reinforcing it often.

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© 2025 Orange County United Way. All rights reserved.
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