Money Smart Essay Contest

Application Deadline: March 7, 2025

Money Smart week is April 5-12, 2025

Win a College Scholarship

 In celebration of Money Smart Wisconsin (April 5 - 12, 2025), the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt, along with its partner organizations, is excited to announce the 6th annual Money Smart 2025 Scholarship Contest. We  invite Wisconsin's graduating high school seniors to participate by answering  this year's Money Smart Question for a chance to win one of several $1,000  Edvest scholarships.  

How do you plan to be money smart and future ready?  

Student loan debt in Wisconsin for students who graduated with a bachelor’s  degree in 2024 averaged $32,628. About two-thirds of all college students take  out loans to pay for their educational costs.  

We are eager to learn about your plan to finance your college education. Through your essay, demonstrate your ability to think critically, plan realistically, and show  how you are preparing for the financial responsibilities of college and beyond.

The 2025 ESSAY QUESTION:

(word limit: 1,500)

Write the essay, referencing where you plan to attend and the program of study,  and share your vision of the college journey addressing the following prompts: 

• 1. Planning for College Costs: Start by estimating your total cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, meals, textbooks, technology, fees, transportation, and other expenses. You can use tools like the U.S. Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator to get accurate estimates. 

  2. Financing Your Education: Once you’ve outlined the costs, describe your strategy for funding your education. Discuss various resources, such as grants, scholarships, financial aid, jobs, or family support that you will use to make college affordable. 

  3. Financial Aid Process: Have you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid? What impact does completing the FAFSA have on your financial plan? 

  4. Managing Student Loan Debt: If loans are part of your plan, detail your approach to keeping debt manageable. Compare your potential student loan debt/payment to the salary you expect in your chosen career and discuss how you’ll stay financially responsible. How do you plan to manage any student debt in relation to your future income? Consider how this will shape your life in the next few years. 

  5. Balancing Responsibilities: Describe how you’ll manage your finances, schoolwork, and any job responsibilities while staying focused on your academic and career goals.

 Thank you to our Money Smart Wisconsin 2025 Sponsors:

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: 

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

NOT AI Generated 

• 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 (MoneySmart@debtsmarts.org ) 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 5 - 12, 2025.  

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

All submissions must be received  before midnight March 7, 2025.