What is H&R Block Dollars & Sense?
H&R Block Dollars & Sense is a comprehensive educational initiative to help high school students learn the essentials of financial fitness, like how to manage a debit card, balance a budget, save money and avoid debt. The program consists of two parts. One is an interactive, simulation-based curriculum taught by high school teachers. The other is the H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge, where high school students nationwide demonstrate their financial skills to win scholarships.
How much is being donated to schools
and students this year through
H&R Block Dollars & Sense?
More than $1 million in personal finance curriculum is being provided annually to high schools in the United States and Canada. And more than $50,000 in college scholarships will be awarded annually to high school students through the H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge.
How many schools are participating?
This year, H&R Block Dollars & Sense will be utilized in 2,728 schools across all 50 states.
See the Map
What does the personal finance curriculum
consist of?
The H&R Block Dollars & Sense educational platform utilizes Knowledge Matters Virtual Business®-Personal Finance software and includes interactive, simulation-based scenarios and lesson plans that assist teachers in personal finance instruction. There are 18 targeted lessons that focus on one financial concept at a time to boost confidence and keep students on track. In addition to the interactive experience, each lesson is accompanied by offline study materials, including reading assignments, written exercises and work sheets.
Learn more about Knowledge Matters
What do the lessons cover?
High school students will be challenged with financial topics that introduce them to real-world personal finance situations, including practical experience with bank accounts, credit and debit cards, bills, credit scores, taxes, investing and more. Watch the curriculum demo
What is the H&R Block Dollars & Sense National Challenge?
H&R Block partnered with DECA, one of the leading co-curricular organizations for high school students, to execute the National Challenge. We’re pleased to invite qualifying high school students in the United States and Canada to test their personal finance knowledge and compete for a chance to win college scholarships. The National Challenge will have qualifying rounds. Registration for Round 1 begins October 13, 2010; registration for Round 2 begins December 21, 2010. For more information about the Challenge please view our
rules and regulations or to register please visit
Knowledge Matters.
Who can participate in the National Challenge?
High school members of DECA are eligible to participate in the National Challenge.
Do I have to own the Virtual Business - Personal Finance software to participate in the National Challenge?
DECA chapters that do not own the school-edition of Virtual Business – Personal Finance will be able to download a free competition version from Knowledge Matters.
When does registration for the National Challenge begin?
The National Challenge will have qualifying rounds. Registration for Round 1 opens October 13, 2010; registration for Round 2 begins December 21, 2010. Teams may compete in one or both Rounds—it is not required that teams participate in both Rounds to qualify for nationals as each Round is scored independently.
I'm a teacher/advisor/administrator. How can I get this curriculum at my school?
Grants for the current school year have already been awarded. To apply for a curriculum grant for the 2011-2012 school year, please come back in August 2010 for application information or you can purchase the curriculum directly from Knowledge Matters. In the meantime, sign up to receive program news and notifications by e-mail.
What else is H&R Block doing to help
parents and teens get together on the
topic of financial literacy?
H&R Block has partnered with Dr. Brad Klontz, a financial psychologist, to provide answers to the many questions parents have surrounding money matters and their teens. Browse the existing content in our Financial Therapy section, or ask Dr. Brad a question of your own.
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