September 14, 2026 |Education, News, Office of MA State Treasurer, State of MA

Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment, Division of Banks Announce 2027 Funding for High School Financial Education Fairs

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Massachusetts high schools can apply to receive a grant to host a financial education fair for their students

From the Office of State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg: The Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Banks (DOB) and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), announced funding for the 2027 Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant. Created in 2015, the Financial Education Innovation Fund gives students the opportunity to practice making many of the real-world financial decisions they’ll face after graduation.
 
Financial education fairs, such as Credit for Life fairs, offer a fun and unique opportunity for students to learn about personal finance. These fairs often serve as a supplement or capstone to financial education classes and engage students in real-world saving, spending, and budgeting scenarios. Students choose or are assigned an occupation and make a variety of money decisions, ranging from where to live and how to save for retirement to buying a television or owning a pet. 
 
Massachusetts public or charter high schools and special education programs approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are eligible to apply. Applicants looking to start a new program can receive up to $4,000, and those enhancing or expanding an existing fair can receive up to $2,000. 
 
Schools designated as Special Education or Collaborative programs, and those with over 50% of the student population designated by DESE as low-to-moderate income, can apply for an additional $500 in funding. Find out if your school meets the criteria for additional funding on DESE’s School and District Profile search.
 
Applications are open until October 23^rd, at 5pm. Schools can learn more and apply by visiting mass.gov/oee/fin-ed-fairs. 
 
The Financial Education Innovation Fund was established as an ongoing effort to strengthen access to financial literacy throughout Massachusetts and is funded by the Division of Banks through the Settlement Trust. Since 2015, over 92,000 students have attended financial education fairs supported by the fund.

About the Division of Banks 

The Division of Banks (DOB) is the chartering authority and primary regulator for financial service providers in Massachusetts. DOB’s primary mission is to ensure a sound, competitive, and accessible financial services environment throughout the Commonwealth. 

About the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation protects and empowers consumers through advocacy and education and ensures a fair playing field for the Massachusetts businesses its agencies regulate.

About the Office of Economic Empowerment

Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the race and gender wage gap, addressing racial equity, increasing access to financial education, and creating pathways to economically stable futures for all residents across the state. Learn more at mass.gov/oee.