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Here’s some very good news for Oregon: Personal finance is coming back to school. Beginning at most districts this academic year, Oregon public school students will benefit from a financial education class before they graduate.
Financial knowledge is a life skill, and those who complete a course are more likely to save, less likely to use expensive non-bank credit options, and are less likely to be stressed, according to the Oregon Financial Wellness Scorecard. Prior to being elected as State Treasurer, I served as a state senator and was a chief sponsor of the legislation that ensures every student has access to a personal finance class. This school year, 188 of Oregon’s 197 school districts will deliver financial education instruction and by next year it will be every district.
I want to recognize our educators who are going the extra mile to bring this important learning to their classrooms. This year, I’ve seen firsthand the commitment of our teachers in Springfield, Salem and Beaverton, and I’ve visited financial education centers at Portland State University, University of Oregon, Clatsop Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Lane Community College, and OSU Cascades.
I’ve also heard a consistent message: Financial education works. For the futures of Oregon students – who will soon be adults – the investments and passion of our teachers will pay dividends.
- Elizabeth Steiner, MD, Oregon State Treasurer
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 Among young people who age out of foster care, only 21% have their own bank account and 17% have $1,000 in savings, The Annie E. Casey Foundation says.
Now in its fourth year, a partnership led by Youth Villages Oregon aims to improve those odds – and improve critical financial skills. In 2026, 117 youths aged 14 to 17 received stipends, workshops via Financial Beginnings, and an opportunity to open accounts without an adult co-signer and with a savings match.
“Too many young people who leave foster care carry financial burdens they didn’t create,” said Andrew Grover, executive director of Youth Villages Oregon.
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Oregon veterans: Connect to financial resources at annual expo
Free to attend, the state’s largest veteran resource event will assemble federal, state, county, Tribal, nonprofit, educational and community organizations to connect current and former service members and their families with benefits and opportunities. The event is Aug. 28 in Roseburg.
Don’t get burned by wildfire-connected fraud
Summer is wildfire season, and it’s also when unscrupulous fraudsters prey on disaster victims. To protect yourself, the Division of Financial Regulation urges you to plan ahead. Impacted by fire? The Oregon Department of Justice warns of common pitfalls, from price gouging to rental scams.
Training for a career? Childcare subsidies are available
Oregon is helping ease the financial burden when you train for trades. Registered apprentices can qualify for Oregon’s Child Care for Construction program, if they spend more than 7 percent of their income on childcare, according to the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
 Are you saving for emergencies? Almost half of Oregonians don’t have $500 set aside, according to the 2026 Financial Wellness Scorecard. How much should you have in reserves? Check out a free calculator from NerdWallet.
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Oregon Financial Empowerment Roundup
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Review an ultimate back-to-school checklist from Embark, the state’s official 529 program.
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VIDEO: Also, brush up on your trivia knowledge with Embark’s 'Fact versus Fiction' lighting round.
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The Financial Empowerment Advisory Team and financial wellbeing supporters met Aug. 11 to highlight Oregon news, challenges and build partnerships.
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VIDEO: The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Portland Metropolitan Area served up financial skills on Lemonade Day and Treasurer Steiner dropped by.
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More than $186,000 in refunds went to Oregonians with help from the Prosperity at Tax Time initiative, which provided free tax prep at credit unions in partnership with MFS CASH Oregon. Check out a toolkit and get involved.
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Debt help: Medford-based nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Oregon has worked with clients statewide since 1971, in person and electronically.
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Financial counselors, educators and professionals: Weigh in on how betting impacts mental health and financial stress in an anonymous survey for the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling.
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Current rules aren’t stopping scam robocalls and stronger safeguards are needed to protect the public, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield says.
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FinAbility, which offers financial empowerment help for survivors of domestic abuse, is seeking feedback from banking professionals who engage with customers.
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The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Crossroads Communities will host a free summit on Rural Affordable Housing Development on Sept. 1 in Lebanon.
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Scam: The Federal Trade Commission is warning about companies misrepresenting discount plans as health insurance.
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Scam: The U.S. Social Security Administration is reporting a wave of scammers using fake badges but real agency employee names.
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Housing stability is closely linked to educational success. Oregon’s Housing and Community Services agency helps children and young adults to build successful futures.
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Scam: Is that charity legit? An easy U.S. Internal Revenue Service tool will help verify if an organization is qualified to seek donations as a tax-exempt organization.
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AARP Oregon and AARP Idaho will host a free document shredding event on Sept. 2 in Ontario.
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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission invites kids 8-12 (and their families) to build online safety skills this summer with free activities and puzzles in “YouVille.”
- The Oregon Business Educators Association will highlight personal finance resources as part of its annual conference, on Oct. 8-10 in Ashland. Registration deadline is Sept. 18.
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