Starting January 1, 2027, Oregon students will have a new graduation requirement that could have a lasting impact on their futures: personal financial education. While algebra, science, and history are all important parts of a student’s education, knowing how to manage money, build credit, budget for expenses, and make informed financial decisions is just as critical in today’s world.
At Mid Oregon Credit Union, we’ve long believed that financial education is one of the most powerful tools we can give young people. That’s why we’re especially excited to see Oregon take this important step toward preparing students for real life.
A Look Back: The Return of Financial Education in Oregon
In 2023, Oregon lawmakers passed Senate Bill 3, a landmark piece of legislation that reestablished personal finance as a graduation requirement for Oregon students. The bill was supported by financial education advocates across the state, including Oregon credit unions and the GoWest Credit Union Association.
Interestingly, Oregon once required personal finance education, but that requirement was removed in the late 1990s. Senate Bill 3 brings it back with a fresh focus on helping students navigate the increasingly complex financial decisions they’ll face as adults.
The results are already encouraging. According to recent reports from the Oregon Department of Education, dozens of school districts have implemented personal finance courses ahead of the requirement taking effect.
What’s Changing in 2027?
Beginning with students graduating on or after January 1, 2027, Oregon high school students must complete:
- A standalone 0.5-credit Personal Financial Education course
- A standalone 0.5-credit Higher Education and Career Path Skills course
These requirements are part of Oregon’s existing diploma framework and are designed to equip students with practical, real-world knowledge.
Topics covered in the personal finance course include:
- Budgeting and money management
- Banking and savings accounts
- Credit scores and debt management
- Borrowing and loan repayment
- Taxes and income
- Investing and long-term financial planning
- Building overall financial well-being
In other words, students will learn the kinds of things many adults wish they’d been taught before signing their first apartment lease, applying for a credit card, or financing a vehicle.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Let’s be honest: today’s financial landscape can be overwhelming.
Students are graduating into a world filled with student loans, digital payment platforms, credit scores, rising living costs, investment apps, and financial decisions that arrive earlier than ever before. A single choice about debt, saving, or budgeting can have long-term consequences.
Financial literacy isn’t just about balancing a checkbook anymore. It’s about building confidence.
When students understand how money works, they’re better prepared to:
- Avoid unnecessary debt
- Build healthy financial habits
- Set achievable goals
- Handle unexpected expenses
- Prepare for college or career pathways
- Build long-term financial stability
Research and experience consistently show that financial education helps young people make more informed financial decisions and develop habits that can benefit them for years to come. Senate Bill 3 recognizes that financial literacy is not an optional life skill. It’s an essential one.
Bringing Financial Education to Life with Bite of Reality
While classroom instruction provides the foundation, hands-on experience is where learning really sticks.
That’s where Bite of Reality comes in.
Mid Oregon Credit Union proudly brings Bite of Reality workshops to schools and youth organizations throughout Central Oregon at no cost to participating schools.
Bite of Reality is an interactive financial simulation that gives students a taste of real adult financial decision-making. Participants are assigned a career, salary, credit score, family situation, and monthly expenses. Then they must navigate a variety of financial choices, including:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Food
- Childcare
- Insurance
- Entertainment
- Savings
Suddenly, choosing between a dream car and staying within budget becomes very real.
Students quickly discover that every financial decision has tradeoffs, and that’s exactly the kind of practical experience that complements Oregon’s new financial education standards.
Instead of simply reading about budgeting in a textbook, students experience the challenges of managing a monthly budget firsthand. They learn how unexpected expenses can impact financial plans and why saving for the future matters. The lessons are memorable because they’re lived, not just learned.
A Valuable Resource for Schools
As schools continue preparing for the 2027 graduation requirements, Bite of Reality offers a ready-made enrichment opportunity that aligns with many of the real-world financial concepts students are expected to understand. The program helps reinforce topics such as budgeting, spending decisions, saving, borrowing, and overall financial well-being.
Best of all, Mid Oregon offers these workshops free of charge to local schools and organizations. Our team works alongside educators and community volunteers to create an engaging experience that students genuinely enjoy.
Investing in the Future
At Mid Oregon, we believe financial wellness starts with education. Every student deserves the opportunity to build the knowledge and confidence needed to make smart financial decisions throughout life.
Oregon’s new graduation requirement is a major step forward, helping ensure that future graduates leave high school with practical money management skills alongside their academic achievements.
And through programs like Bite of Reality, we’re proud to help bring those lessons to life in classrooms and communities across Central Oregon.
Because when young people understand how money works, they’re better prepared to build the future they imagine.
Interested in Bringing Bite of Reality to Your School?
Mid Oregon Credit Union offers Bite of Reality workshops throughout Central Oregon at no cost to schools and youth organizations. Learn more or connect with our Community Engagement team at MidOregon.com to explore how we can bring this impactful experience to your students here: https://www.midoregon.com/education/bite-of-reality.shtml
