Twenty-five high school seniors from the Oakland area are set to receive $7,000 scholarships after completing the PG&E Community Financial Education Program. The graduation ceremony will take place at the University of California, Berkeley. The program aims to provide advanced financial education to students from underserved communities.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and The PG&E Corporation Foundation launched this initiative in 2022, with support from partners such as UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. The curriculum covers personal finance, capital markets, wealth creation, and investments. Undergraduate students at Haas mentored participants throughout the six-month course.
Students say the experience has helped them prepare for future financial decisions. Xariyah White, a graduate from De Anza High School in Richmond, said: “The PG&E program has helped shape how I approach future financial decisions. It strengthened my understanding of budgeting and taught me how to make informed, responsible choices about my finances, especially as I prepare for the costs of college and life beyond that.”
Mariah McCoy, a former participant in the program and current scholar at UC Berkeley Haas Spieker four-year program added: “This program created an on-ramp for me to explore my passion for the business world, while envisioning myself as a UC Berkeley Haas student. As a scholar in the UC Berkeley Haas Spieker four-year program, I am grateful for the PG&E program and the infinite opportunities they create for me to receive continued mentorship and guidance.”
Since its inception four years ago, 96 Oakland-area high school seniors have completed the course. This year’s scholarships bring total funding by PG&E Corporation to $800,000.
In 2024, California passed legislation requiring all high school students to have access to personal finance courses by 2027; it will become a graduation requirement by 2031.
The Mills Institute at Northeastern University TRIO Programs recruited participants through initiatives supporting underserved high schoolers and first-generation college students. The curriculum was developed with input from Panos Patatoukas of UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and Jason Miles of Amenti Capital Group.
Patatoukas stated: “Now in its fourth year, this program highlights the power of early and broad access to high-quality financial education in expanding opportunity and narrowing persistent wealth gaps. I’m proud of what this partnership has achieved and excited to continue driving positive impact for Bay Area youth.”
Miles commented: “This program empowers future leaders with early, practical investing knowledge. This education expands access to capital markets by strengthening the pipeline of future founders and investors shaping the global innovative economy. I am deeply committed to catalyzing generational wealth creation alongside like-minded partners and this exceptionally talented community of students.”
Vincent Davis, Chief Customer Officer at PG&E will speak at Saturday’s graduation event. He said: “We believe education is a powerful catalyst for increasing prosperity in California. By investing in early financial education, we’re empowering young people with the confidence, skills, and resources to build brighter financial futures for themselves and our communities.”
Otis Ward is one example of an early graduate who is now attending Stanford University after sharing his story in a short film produced by PG&E.
For more information about Pacific Gas & Electric Company visit https://www.pge.com or see additional details at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oakland-area-high-school-seniors-graduate-from-financial-education-program-earning-7-000-pge-college-scholarships-302678152.html
