POCONO TOWNSHIP -- Some students at Northampton Community College Monroe Campus are trying to figure out how they'll make ends meet once they graduate.
"While they're doing that, 'What's my career going to be? What's my salary going to be? How am I going to try and make the best decisions that I can with the money I make in my career, and to best provide for myself and for my family?'" said state Rep. Rosemary Brown, (R) 189th District.
State lawmakers Rosemary Brown and Jack Rader worked with a credit union to set up this reality check at the school near Tannersville.
It hit hard for Himil Desai. He has his sights set on pharmacy school, which means another four years of college.
"So this is definitely an eye-opening experience, seeing that I pay way too much for my cell phone bill at the moment. I have to find a way to save up on that," said Desai.
For others, student loan terms were tough to comprehend.
"Definitely the plans of student loans, I didn't know there were so many different types of student loans and how the interest rates are," said Noa Beralta.
And just like in life, the reality wheel tossed in some unexpected expenses such as car repairs, credit card fees, and medical expenses.
Students voluntarily crunched the numbers, but local lawmakers are trying to make financial coursework a high school requirement.
"You need so many social studies requirements before you graduate high school, and financial literacy coursework would count as one of those requirements," said Rep. Brown.
Right now, high school classes with such real life education are electives, but in a world where it's so easy to spend cash, students say this financial check is just what they need to succeed.
"You have those direct deposit things set up so you don't realize how much you're actually paying until you actually write it down. I don't. I should, but this is a good lesson. I'll start now," said Desai.
