HiFi Program Description

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) launched HiFi, the High School Financial Literacy Initiative, in the spring of 2005.  

The goal of HiFi is to make financial education available to all high school students in Massachusetts, specifically juniors and seniors. The HiFi program trains teachers, financial professionals, and representatives of community-based organizations to offer financial literacy classes to teens. Through this program the students gain the financial skills and abilities they need whether they are headed to the workforce, military, or college.

In the spring of 2006, the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) presented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a national leadership award acknowledging the HiFi program as a national model for implementing a voluntary high school financial literacy program.

OCABR offers financial literacy seminars at various locations across the state in the spring and fall of each year. The workshops are free to teachers, financial professionals, and representatives of community-based organizations to help them bring financial literacy to Massachusetts high schools. During the seminars we review the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program materials (both the instructor manual and student guide), which are provided free to educators and students.

To date, the HiFi program has been successful with more than 850 educators trained representing over 330 high schools and community-based organizations. In addition, more than 100 financial representatives have been trained and are available to lend their expertise in the classroom. These financial professionals make up the Speakers’ Bureau listed by city or town on our website (www.mass.gov/HiFi) so that teachers can find financial professionals in their area who are willing and available to teach all or portions of the financial planning curriculum to their classes.