Why is a lack of personal finance skills such a common theme among college students? One of my co-workers is $800 in credit card debt. I have overheard two of my classmates joke about how they had less than $5 in their checking accounts. Even my 22-year-old brother didn’t know how to make or maintain a budget until just a few months ago, despite living independently. College-aged students need to prioritize personal finance to establish foundational financial literacy skills that can set them up for a successful future post-graduation.