For graduating seniors, leaving high school can lead to an unpleasant dose of the real world: tuition, credit card bills, rent, insurance and much more.

To help students prepare to handle the expenses that come with being an adult, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank will be putting on its Credit for Life Fair at Wareham High School on Feb. 28 from 7:45 to 11 a.m.

“You’re probably thinking, ‘Gee, why does a bank do this? Why does a bank care?’” Cape Cod Five Executive Vice President Bert Tailerman told the School Committee. “They’re learning financial lessons that will help them in the real world because (at the fair) they are playing the role of a real adult with a real budget. They’re going around and purchasing all the services and expenses that we all incur.”

“Regardless of whether they’re going to be in college next year, in the service or out working, they are going to be responsible for managing a budget,” Tailerman said.

The program prompts each student to put together a simulated budget -- impacted by career choice and the expenses they need and want to incur.

The goal of the program is to help students understand the financial decisions they will have to make once they’re on their own.

“We are excited to have Five Cents Savings Bank on board, and we will have businesses coming,” principal Scott Palladino said. “It’s going to be an exciting day for students.”

“I applaud your efforts to educate the students, our community, on such an important area,” said School Committee member Geoffrey Swett.

“I only get to show up here and say nice things. The credit really belongs to the team,” Tailerman said.

Construction is currently underway for a branch of Cape Cod Five to open up in Rosebrook Place on Route 28 near the intersections of I-495 and I-195 in Wareham.