Exciting New Financial Literacy Program Launches for Boston High School Seniors
In an initiative aimed at changing the financial landscape for youth, The Possible Zone (TPZ) has partnered with EmpowerED Finances and Citizens to roll out a five-module financial literacy program targeted at high school seniors in Boston. The stark reality is that a staggering 95% of urban students lack access to essential financial education, a gap that this collaborative effort seeks to bridge.
In the United States, nearly 75% of students do not have access to personal finance courses. Disturbingly, in urban areas, this number rises to 95%. Schools predominantly attended by Black or Hispanic students are notably underserved, as they are approximately half as likely to offer dedicated personal finance courses compared to those with fewer minority students. Alarmingly, just 4% of Americans can demonstrate proficiency across key personal finance topics.
Recognizing this urgent need, TPZ, through its collaboration with EmpowerED Finances, launched the "Learn – Earn – Engage" model. This program equips seniors from The Possible Zone with the necessary skills to budget, save, engage with credit, and invest. Participants not only learn but also earn digital badges and receive financial incentives that they can deposit into their bank accounts. They will also connect with financial professionals during an account-opening event, further empowering them to manage their financial futures.
Joanna Sanborn, TPZ's V.P. of Post-Secondary Pathways, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "Throughout our core programming, students build durable and technical skills that help prepare them for post-secondary success. This extra-curricular financial education course with EmpowerED and Citizens is helping our students develop essential life skills necessary for effective money management, allowing them to build a strong financial foundation and make informed decisions that positively impact economic mobility and financial security."
Mark Thompson, Regional Market Executive at Citizens, reiterated the value of financial literacy, viewing it as a cornerstone for lifelong independence. Citizens recently partnered with TPZ for their FastForge Hackathon, where they witnessed students’ creativity and determination firsthand. “We’re helping unlock possibilities and create pathways to economic mobility,” he said.
In addition to the student program, Citizens is committed to enhancing the financial literacy of the broader community and plans to host four financial literacy courses for the families of TPZ students, starting with the recently held "Financially Lit Dads."
Farida Graham, Co-Founder of EmpowerED Finances, advocates for a new standard in financial education that will not only teach students to manage money but also foster a sense of agency. "We believe that financial education should unlock possibilities, not just proficiency," she said. The program aims to provide students with college credits, acceleration funding for savings, and digital badges—all aimed at confirming their accomplishments.
The inaugural group of students participating in this groundbreaking program will celebrate the completion of their modules on December 2, 2025, at the Boston Innovation Center.
The Possible Zone is an experiential learning program which prepares youth for lifelong learning and career readiness through a tuition-free initiative. Students engage in early career exploration while learning about STEAM technologies and developing critical social and emotional skills. Supported by a network of educators and industry partners, students leave empowered to shape their own futures.
EmpowerED Finances is striving to transform financial education, providing college-level personal finance learning directly to young individuals. The aim is to close opportunity gaps and ensure that every student possesses the knowledge, confidence, and tools to build financial freedom.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc., founded in Rhode Island, is among the nation’s largest financial institutions. With a variety of banking products and services, Citizens is dedicated to understanding customer needs and providing tailored solutions.
In a world where financial literacy is more critical than ever, the collaborative efforts of The Possible Zone, EmpowerED Finances, and Citizens offer Boston's high school seniors a transformative opportunity, giving them the tools needed to thrive in their financial futures.
The Urgent Need for Financial Literacy
In the United States, nearly 75% of students do not have access to personal finance courses. Disturbingly, in urban areas, this number rises to 95%. Schools predominantly attended by Black or Hispanic students are notably underserved, as they are approximately half as likely to offer dedicated personal finance courses compared to those with fewer minority students. Alarmingly, just 4% of Americans can demonstrate proficiency across key personal finance topics.
Recognizing this urgent need, TPZ, through its collaboration with EmpowerED Finances, launched the "Learn – Earn – Engage" model. This program equips seniors from The Possible Zone with the necessary skills to budget, save, engage with credit, and invest. Participants not only learn but also earn digital badges and receive financial incentives that they can deposit into their bank accounts. They will also connect with financial professionals during an account-opening event, further empowering them to manage their financial futures.
Building a Financial Future
Joanna Sanborn, TPZ's V.P. of Post-Secondary Pathways, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "Throughout our core programming, students build durable and technical skills that help prepare them for post-secondary success. This extra-curricular financial education course with EmpowerED and Citizens is helping our students develop essential life skills necessary for effective money management, allowing them to build a strong financial foundation and make informed decisions that positively impact economic mobility and financial security."
Mark Thompson, Regional Market Executive at Citizens, reiterated the value of financial literacy, viewing it as a cornerstone for lifelong independence. Citizens recently partnered with TPZ for their FastForge Hackathon, where they witnessed students’ creativity and determination firsthand. “We’re helping unlock possibilities and create pathways to economic mobility,” he said.
In addition to the student program, Citizens is committed to enhancing the financial literacy of the broader community and plans to host four financial literacy courses for the families of TPZ students, starting with the recently held "Financially Lit Dads."
A New Standard for Financial Education
Farida Graham, Co-Founder of EmpowerED Finances, advocates for a new standard in financial education that will not only teach students to manage money but also foster a sense of agency. "We believe that financial education should unlock possibilities, not just proficiency," she said. The program aims to provide students with college credits, acceleration funding for savings, and digital badges—all aimed at confirming their accomplishments.
The inaugural group of students participating in this groundbreaking program will celebrate the completion of their modules on December 2, 2025, at the Boston Innovation Center.
About The Possible Zone
The Possible Zone is an experiential learning program which prepares youth for lifelong learning and career readiness through a tuition-free initiative. Students engage in early career exploration while learning about STEAM technologies and developing critical social and emotional skills. Supported by a network of educators and industry partners, students leave empowered to shape their own futures.
About EmpowerED Finances
EmpowerED Finances is striving to transform financial education, providing college-level personal finance learning directly to young individuals. The aim is to close opportunity gaps and ensure that every student possesses the knowledge, confidence, and tools to build financial freedom.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc., founded in Rhode Island, is among the nation’s largest financial institutions. With a variety of banking products and services, Citizens is dedicated to understanding customer needs and providing tailored solutions.
In a world where financial literacy is more critical than ever, the collaborative efforts of The Possible Zone, EmpowerED Finances, and Citizens offer Boston's high school seniors a transformative opportunity, giving them the tools needed to thrive in their financial futures.
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