At a time when young people are expected to make complex financial decisions almost as soon as they enter adulthood, the absence of structured financial education in American schools is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Credit cards, student loans, buy-now-pay-later apps, and online banking have become deeply embedded in daily life, yet many students graduate without ever learning the fundamentals of budgeting, saving, or understanding interest.
This gap, argue educators and financial experts, is not just an oversight. It is a structural weakness that affects millions of people long after they leave the classroom.
Houston Fraley, CEO of Symple Lending, is one of the voices calling attention to the issue. Symple Lending is a financial services company that specializes in loans designed to help consumers consolidate debt and save on interest, giving individuals a clearer path toward financial stability.
“Without a doubt. We teach students how to analyze Shakespeare or solve for X, but not how to budget, use credit wisely, or avoid predatory loans? That’s a huge gap,” Fraley says. “Financial literacy is life literacy. When people understand how money works, whether it is interest rates, credit scores, or the difference between saving and investing, they are empowered to make better decisions. It is not just about dollars and cents. It is about dignity, independence, and long-term wellbeing. The earlier we start that education, the better.”
A National Debate That Still Lacks Urgency
The United States has been discussing financial literacy reform for more than two decades, yet progress remains uneven. As of 2025, only a portion of states require a stand-alone personal finance course for graduation, despite mounting evidence that early exposure to these concepts dramatically improves financial outcomes in adulthood.
Studies from the National Endowment for Financial Education and the Council for Economic Education show that students who receive formal financial instruction are more likely to save consistently, less likely to misuse credit, and better equipped to understand borrowing costs. Yet in many school districts, personal finance is still treated as an elective rather than a core competency.
Educators who support expanding these programs argue that financial literacy is not simply about balancing a checkbook or calculating interest on a loan. It is about preparing students to navigate a complex economy in which a single uninformed decision can carry long-term consequences.
“Financial stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety in adults,” Fraley notes, referencing a consistent finding from annual surveys conducted by the American Psychological Association. “If we gave young people the tools to manage money early, we could prevent so much of that hardship before it starts.”
The Case for Starting Early
Individuals encounter significant financial decisions much sooner than previous generations. Many students take on substantial debt before they have a full understanding of how repayment works or how interest compounds over time. Others receive their first credit card while still in college, often with little information about how mismanaging it can affect their credit for years.
Financial education advocates say introducing these concepts early, preferably in middle or early high school, can help students build confidence before they face these milestones.
Lessons on budgeting teach students how to align income with expenses. Discussions around credit help them understand how borrowing decisions impact their future ability to rent an apartment, purchase a car, or secure a loan. Exposure to concepts like saving, investing, and risk management can empower students who may never receive that guidance at home.
But the benefits extend beyond individual households.
Financial Literacy as a Tool for Economic Equity
One of the strongest arguments for embedding personal finance education into core curricula is its potential to narrow economic inequality. Many families do not discuss money openly at home, and research shows that financial habits are often shaped by socioeconomic environment.
Schools that provide equitable access to these skills can help level the playing field.
Students who receive formal financial education are more likely to build emergency savings, avoid high-interest debt, and maintain stronger credit profiles. These outcomes can influence a person’s ability to secure stable housing, pursue higher education, or weather unexpected financial challenges later in life.
While financial literacy alone cannot solve structural inequality, experts argue that it can provide young adults with practical tools to navigate an economic system that often feels stacked against them.
Symple Lending’s Broader Message
Symple Lending, the company led by Houston Fraley, works regularly with individuals facing the consequences of limited financial education. For many, debt accumulation began early, often before they fully understood the long-term costs attached to borrowing.
Fraley says this firsthand exposure has shaped his view of financial literacy as both a preventative tool and a path toward personal empowerment.
“Understanding the basics of money management before people make life-changing financial commitments can do more than build financial stability,” he says. “It can prevent years of unnecessary stress.”
As the CEO of Symple Lending, Fraley has emphasized the importance of both education and support systems for individuals navigating complex financial situations. He has focused on consumer financial wellness and on helping clients understand both the practical and emotional dimensions of managing debt. His experience leading the organization shapes the way he approaches conversations with borrowers, particularly as they attempt to recover from financial decisions that might have been avoided with early education.
This blend of practical experience and long-term observation has made Fraley a frequent voice in conversations surrounding financial wellness and consumer education.
A Growing Consensus, but No Nationwide Mandate
Despite widespread agreement that personal finance education is valuable, implementation remains inconsistent. Some states mandate a semester-long course, while others incorporate financial topics into broader subjects like social studies or economics. Many districts lack the resources or trained staff needed to teach these concepts effectively.
Advocates argue that the solution is not simply adding a single course, but developing a comprehensive curriculum that evolves with changing economic realities. Topics such as digital banking, identity theft, online fraud, and modern borrowing tools have become increasingly relevant.
Financial literacy, they say, should be viewed the same way as reading or mathematics: a foundational skill set required for adult life.
The Path Ahead
As financial challenges become more complex and more widespread, the conversation around financial literacy in schools continues to gain traction. More states are considering mandates, more educators are calling for reform, and more families are recognizing the importance of preparing students for the realities of modern financial life.
For Houston Fraley, the goal is simple. “True financial wellbeing begins with knowledge,” he says. “If we can teach young people how money works before they are asked to manage it, we can change the trajectory of millions of lives.”
The argument is persuasive, and the stakes are clear. Whether the nation makes financial education a priority remains an open question, but the need is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.