Win a College Scholarship

The 2024 DEADLINE Has passed.

Watch for our announcement of our 15 scholarship winners.

In support of Money Smart Wisconsin (April 6 - 13, 2024), the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt and its partner organizations are sponsoring a Money Smart 2024 Scholarship Contest. Wisconsin’s graduating high school seniors are encouraged to answer this year’s Money Smart Question.

This is a statewide scholarship event for Wisconsin high school seniors. Your essay will be reviewed for a chance to win one of several scholarships, to be given as a $1,000 Edvest account.

BACKGROUND:

Student loan debt in Wisconsin for students who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2023 averaged $31,550. About two-thirds of all college students take out loans to pay for their educational costs.

We want to hear your plan to pay for college, how the cost of college and potential student debt you may incur will affect your career choices, and what impact this scholarship may have for you.

The 2024 ESSAY QUESTION:

Use each bullet below to form your essay.

(word limit: 1,500)

Describe your plan to pay for college. Include a summary of the various costs
(tuition, housing & food/meal plan, textbooks, computer, fees, transportation, other cost of attendance expenses).

Tip: To help estimate expenses, look for your intended school at the US Department of Education website (https://collegecost.ed.gov/net-price) or search the ‘name of your school + net price calculator.’

• Once you’ve summarized the estimated cost, explain how you plan to pay for college.

• Discuss the various resources (i.e., grants, scholarships, student aid, jobs, financial support from family) you will need to attend and complete a degree at your chosen college.

• Did you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

• If you plan to take out educational loans, how will you minimize and/or manage your student loan debt?

• How does your potential student loan debt compare to the potential salary in your chosen field?

• Finally, describe your understanding of the cost of college and educational debt.

• How will you manage any student debt in relation to your expected future salary?

• How will it impact your life over the next few years?

• Include ideas on how you plan to manage your money, school and/or work responsibilities and ultimately meet your college and career goals.

Submit your essay and application as a PDF or scanned attachment to:

MoneySmart@debtsmarts.org

Scholarship Contest Form

GUIDELINES

Candidate Must:

• Be a resident of Wisconsin, graduating high school senior and plan to attend a Wisconsin college or university.

• Student or parent/guardian must have a valid SSN.

• Demonstrate key money management knowledge (budgeting, investing, use of credit, etc.).

To Apply:

• Essay, up to 1500 words, must be typed and double spaced.

• The essay must be concise and written by the student submitting the essay.

• The Money Smart Scholarship Application must be signed by the student and a parent/guardian and attached to the essay.

• The essay and application should be emailed as a PDF or scanned attachment to: MoneySmart@debtsmarts.org

Important Information:

Direct questions about this Money Smart Scholarship Contest to the above email and the attention of Cheryl Rapp.

All essays become the property of the WI Coalition on Student Debt and may be used by members to promote financial literacy.

Award recipients only, will be contacted between April 6 - 13, 2024.

Winners’ names will be shared with their high school for possible announcement at School Award Ceremonies.

All submissions must be received before midnight March 8, 2024.