As Financial Literacy Month comes to a close, we wanted to share perspectives from students across the First Generation Investors community who are experiencing financial education in practice.
For Xin-Tong, a student in Washington, DC through our partnership with DC Public Schools, learning about investing helped turn a general concept into something more tangible.
Before joining the program, investing was not something they spent much time thinking about.
“When I did think about it, it was in very general terms,” Xin-Tong shared. “Investing is putting money into something in hopes of gaining returns.”
Through the program, that understanding became more concrete. Learning how different funds work and what affects their performance made investing feel more real, and more relevant.
One of the most surprising takeaways was understanding risk, not just in theory, but in practice.
“I learned about the risks of investing in certain funds,” they explained. “For example, a global real estate fund can be affected by different tax laws and regulations since it invests in foreign markets.”
For Xin-Tong, learning about investing was not just about understanding financial concepts. It also changed how they think about their future.
“Investing feels more accessible and familiar now,” they said. “I feel more eager to invest in the future and more likely to save my money.”
Xin-Tong is not alone. Students across the program shared how learning about investing has changed how they think about money and their future.
“Starting to invest early can help my money grow more over time because of compounding. Even small amounts can grow if I stay consistent. I also learned that it’s important not to put all my money into one investment. Spreading my money across different types of investments can reduce risk.”
— Biname, Indiana
“It’s important to understand risks before making financial decisions. I appreciate everything I’ve learned because it helped me feel more confident about my future.”
— DeJanae, Texas
“This program helped me find and fuel my interest in investing and financial literacy as a whole. I want to keep learning more so I can make good decisions and live comfortably in the future.”
— Giovanni, Texas
Financial literacy is often introduced through concepts like saving and budgeting. But for many students, learning about investing is what helps those concepts connect to their future.
It builds confidence, introduces long-term thinking, and helps students begin to see what is possible for their financial futures.
As Financial Literacy Month comes to a close, these reflections are a reminder that when students are given the opportunity to engage with investing early, they gain more than knowledge. They gain confidence, perspective, and a stronger sense of what is possible for their future.
