Students Build Financial Confidence with Citizens
Real-world lessons #PoweredByPACS give students a head start on their financial futures
August 8, 2025
At Passport Academy Charter School (PACS), helping students plan for life beyond graduation goes way beyond academics—it includes giving them the tools to make smart financial decisions. This spring, a partnership with Citizens gave seniors a powerful boost through a jam-packed four-week course in financial literacy.
Held in two sessions to accommodate morning and afternoon students, the “Student Wealth Investing Sessions” tackled budgeting, credit, saving and investing, all life skills that matter long after graduation caps are tossed.
“Empowering students with financial knowledge today builds confident, capable leaders for tomorrow,” said Tammy Spencer Bey, VP, Community Development Market Manager at Citizens. “Through Citizens’ Financial Empowerment Modules, we’re helping young people take charge of their futures—one smart decision at a time.”
The sessions were hands-on and eye-opening. Students worked through interactive modules like, “Can You Pay Your Bills,” “Designing Your Dreams,” and “Teen Investing.” Each piece of the program was designed to help them think critically about money and how to manage it.
“Our goal is to give students every advantage as they enter adulthood,” said PACS Principal Joe Oliphant. “This partnership helps them build the confidence and financial know-how to take control of what’s next.”
With Pennsylvania’s new requirement rolling out next year that requires high school students to obtain a credit of financial literacy, PACS is already prepared. Requiring these two financial literacy sessions for every student before graduation puts its students ahead of the pack.
“For many seniors, these modules served as a pivotal moment,” said Tammy Spencer Bey. “The transformation in their confidence and financial literacy was evident, and it was truly inspiring to witness their growth.”
At PACS, real-world readiness is baked into all aspects of the school day. And thanks to Citizens, students are stepping into their futures with a clearer picture of what’s possible—and how to plan for it.
PACS and Citizens are excited to keep the momentum. The Student Wealth Investing Sessions will return for the fall 2025 semester, empowering even more students to take control of their financial futures.