05/13/2026
Last Fall, I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up to mentor students through the Jones Financial Futures Education Savings Program pilot at Houston High School. Through this program, 31 students had the opportunity to earn up to $15,000 in 529 contributions by completing financial literacy courses and participating in other career readiness activities.
While this seemed great in concept, there were questions that I kept asking myself:
• Would the students be engaged?
• Would the families be supportive?
• Would they see the true opportunity the program has to offer?
The answer, I can now say, has been an overwhelming yes!
These 31 students didn’t just participate, they actively worked through every activity, asked thoughtful questions about how different investments work and connected what they were learning to their own college plans and savings goals. They're already thinking about what they'll do after graduation and how they'll finance it without massive debt.
What's been most rewarding is seeing how this program helped them put all the pieces together. Saving, investing, 529 accounts, college planning, it's no longer abstract. It's concrete. And they're confident enough now to talk about it with their parents.
That's the breakthrough moment: when a student goes home and starts a conversation about finances with their family. That's when financial education becomes financial understanding.
I've enjoyed every interaction with these students because their genuine interest in learning reminded me why I became a Financial Advisor in the first place, to help people see what's financially possible.
I can't wait to see what comes next as we continue this program into a second year!
Learn more about the program:
Some students at Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas will jump start their education savings with up to $15,000 each as part of an innovative pilot program; Edward Jones financial advisors will offer career coaching for Big 12 Conference student athletes
