House Bill 203

Demand House Bill 203: Equity and Inclusion in Financial Literacy for All High School Students in Delaware

Don't Let Financial Missteps Define Our Youth’s Future. Require Equity and Inclusion in Financial Education Today

Delaware students are at risk of financial illiteracy

of Delaware voters said a personal finance course should be guaranteed

0 %

of Delaware voters believe a personal finance course in high school is an urgent need

0 %

The Urgent Need for Financial Literacy Education in Delaware Public Schools

Today’s students face unprecedented challenges in navigating the complex world of finance. From the influence of TikTok shaping perceptions of money to the dangers of predatory lending, buy now/pay later schemes, online and phone scams, and peer-to-peer payment apps, our youth are bombarded with daily financial decisions that have lasting consequences.

It’s time to confront the stark reality: Delaware has fallen behind. Shockingly, only 6% of high school students in our state are required to take a semester-long Personal Finance course, compared to the national average of 53%. This staggering gap in financial education is not just an academic concern – it’s a social justice and equity issue that demands our immediate attention.

With House Bill 203, we have the opportunity to empower every Delaware student with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly complex financial world. Join us in demanding change and advocating for equity and inclusion in financial literacy education for all high school students in Delaware.

Financial Literacy Matters

House Bill 203: Closing the financial education gap for all Delaware students

House Bill 203, championed by Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, R-Millsboro, mandates that high school students, starting with those entering 9th Grade in the 2025-2026 academic year, complete a half-credit course in financial literacy for graduation.

In the 25 states without statewide Personal Finance graduation requirements, the statistics are alarming. For instance, in schools with over 75% Black and Hispanic student populations, only 7% of students are guaranteed a Personal Finance course before graduation, compared to 14.2% in schools with less than 25% Black and Hispanic students.

Financial illiteracy poses serious threats to our state’s well-being. It can lead to unemployment, stress, and, in extreme cases, even suicide. Failing to teach our youth sound financial decision-making not only dims their potential but also impacts our state’s economy. That’s why House Bill 203 is crucial. This legislation ensures that every Delaware student has equal and guaranteed access to a personal finance course in high school. Research consistently shows that students with access to high-quality financial education experience better financial outcomes as adults, leading to less debt and a higher quality of life.

Comprehensive Financial Literacy Education

What House Bill 203 Offers:

Mandatory half-credit financial literacy course for high school students
Designed to bridge socio-economic gaps and foster financial inclusivity
Covers essential personal finance topics, including but not limited to:
- Understanding personal budgeting.
- Understanding the benefits of disciplined and regular savings to achieve financial goals and the power of compounding returns and interest.
- Understanding and managing credit and debt, including credit scores; types of credit to include credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, student loans, payday loans, and title loans;
- Understanding career options, including college vs. trade or technical school and entrepreneurship vs. employment.

Join The Movement

Sign the Financial Responsibility Petition

Delaware cannot lag behind neighboring states any longer. We must commit to ensuring every public high school student is guaranteed access to at least one semester of personal finance instruction.

Join us in championing the cause of financial education by adding your signature to our petition. Together, let’s ensure that every student receives the crucial financial knowledge they need for a successful future.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Hear What Supporters Are Saying About House Bill 203

"No student, regardless of their zip code, background, or family’s income level, should be denied access to a high-quality financial education."

"Personal finance literacy is the cornerstone of a resilient and empowered society. When students take a course in personal finance, it not only sets them up for their financial future but results in so many positive behavioral outcomes as well."

"Empowering Delaware students with financial education is a step toward building a solid foundation. With an understanding of credit, savings, budgeting, and other financial basics, young adults will be able to start their financial lives with the knowledge they need to avoid costly missteps. While this is just a start, students will benefit from learning about money before graduating from school."

“The Delaware Bankers Association in partnership with the Delaware Financial Education Alliance and the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship, sponsor a number of programs to support financial literacy in Delaware. Teach Children To Save Day helps 3rd and 4th graders foster an understanding of the importance of savings. In addition, two David G. Bakerian scholarships are awarded annually on the basis of an essay to students who complete the Keys to Financial Success program in high school. House Bill 203 would be a milestone in ensuring equity among Delaware children and young adults in Financial Literacy and support a strong Delaware of tomorrow.”

“Too many of our students lack a basic understanding of the differences between a debit card and a credit card, a federal student loan versus a private student loan, or how interest accrues on a loan. These simple lessons can dramatically shift the trajectory of their lives after high school!”

"Delaware students should feel empowered that they can create a comfortable financial life for themselves. If they are provided with the proper tools and exposed to opportunity, every young adult in Delaware regardless of their financial background has the chance to create financial security and wealth for themselves."

Voices of Change: Stories from the Financial Literacy Movement

Play

Test Your Financial Knowledge

Discover your level of financial literacy with our quiz! This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of key financial concepts, from personal budgeting to investment strategies. Challenge yourself, learn something new, and share your results to inspire others to join the financial literacy movement in Delaware.

Financial Literacy Empowers Communities

Equip Yourself for Advocacy and Education

Personal finance is an impactful and easy-to-implement course with strong demand from students, parents, and the Delaware public. 83% of Delaware voters said a personal finance course should be guaranteed and 91% believe it is an urgent need. Use these tools to make your case for bringing this life-changing course to all Delaware public high schools.