By State Representative Penny Houston (R-Nashville)
(325 words)
It is estimated that 60 percent of jobs in Georgia will require some form of postsecondary credential by the year 2025. We must work together to make sure the students of South Georgia are prepared for education beyond high school, and that begins with financial literacy. It is never too early, or too late, to begin planning for college, which is why I applaud Governor Brian Kemp’s proclamation to recognize April as Financial Literacy Month in Georgia.
Financial literacy is an essential life skill because it equips us with the knowledge we need to manage money efficiently. Ensuring our young people have the necessary knowledge to make informed financial decisions must become a community responsibility. I would like to challenge everyone to talk to a young person about financial literacy during the month of April. If you are not sure where to start, the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) offers a variety of free resources on their website at www.GAfutures.org.
While paying for college may seem far away, every parent or guardian should talk to their child about basic financial principals Parents and guardians of high school seniors should also help their children complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is the gateway for college financial aid, including Pell Grants. Unfortunately, Georgia students leave millions of dollars of “free” money on the table when they fail to complete the FAFSA.
Thanks to conservative leadership, Georgia has been ranked as the “Top State for Doing Business” for seven consecutive years by Area Development Magazine. This ranking reflects Georgia’s strong economy and the good jobs that are waiting for our graduates. Let’s make sure that paying for higher education is not an obstacle. By talking to our young people about financial literacy now, we can prepare the next generation of leaders to graduate in a stable financial position and make sure Georgia remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.
*Editor’s Note: The governor’s recent proclamation and a National College Attainment Network graphic are attached.
Representative Penny Houston represents the citizens of District 170, which includes all of Berrien and Cook counties and portions of Tift County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 1997 and currently serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development. She also serves on the Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care and the Banks & Banking, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism and Ways & Means committees.
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