Voices

H&R Block invites public vote on financial education grants

H&R Block is asking the public to choose which 250 schools the company will award personal finance curriculum grants through its Dollars & Sense program.

Visitors to www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com can read why each school wants the interactive curriculum that covers 18 real-life scenarios like budgeting, credit scores and debt management and cast votes daily through April 15.

According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, only 15 percent of teens receive any formal personal finance education before graduation.

"Financial stress can be damaging to teens' health," said Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist and author who works with H&R Block Dollars & Sense, in a statement. "High school is a critical time for teens to learn important financial lessons before they are out on their own. Helping teenagers understand concepts such as credit and compound interest early can build confidence, reduce stress and set them on the right track for their financial future."

This year, the first H&R Block has opened its annual grant process to public voting, the company is awarding a total of $50,000.

"H&R Block works with millions of clients each year and we know regardless of age, geography and income, people experience financial stress and are always interested in seeing their money grow," said Kathy Collins, H&R Block’s vice president of brand, in a statement. "H&R Block Dollars & Sense is not only an opportunity for us to support local schools and give back to the communities we serve, it's also a way for us to empower kids for a strong financial future."

More information about the program, as well as Dr. Klontz’s tips for talking to teens about money, can be found at www.hrblockdollarsandsense.com.

 

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