Across the country, high school seniors are anxiously applying for scholarships in hopes of funding their higher education goals. Fortunately, a growing number of scholarships are available to students who show skills and interest in the field of financial literacy. Being financially literate as a teenager shows intelligence, dedication, and seriousness of character – traits often rewarded by scholarships. Here is a look at several financial literacy scholarships available in various states:
Pennsylvania
9th-12th grade students in Pennsylvania can win scholarship money through Harrisburg University by competing over What Does Financial Literacy Mean to Me? The freestyle essay competition is in its 10th year, and last year about forty students participated in hopes of the first place prize of $1,500, second place prize of $1,000, or third place prize of $750. Partnering with Harrisburg University on the scholarship is the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General and Members 1st Federal Credit Union. Submissions are due by February 15, 2023. Good luck, Pennsylvania teens!
Iowa
High school seniors in Iowa can win up to $1,000 by completing online education about personal financial literacy. The online education modules are related to financial literacy in terms of paying for college: student loans and return on investment from attending college. The scholarship is hosted by the Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation, and fifty students can receive the $1,000 reward. Fortunately for students, there are no prerequisites for participation in the scholarship, with no requirements related to GPA or family income.
Nationwide
Scholarships are available through SIFMA, the Securities Industry and Financial Market Association. Across the country, students can compete in both SIFMA’s Stock Market Game and InvestWrite competitions. Winning students of the InvestWrite essay competition can win a $750 gift card. There are also other programs available for teens through SIFMA, including a Capitol Hill Challenge program where teams of students learn about investing and business skills.
For current college students, the Bankmobile Foundation offers a $1,500 Financial Literacy scholarship to students who produce a 30-60 second video explaining the importance of financial literacy and financial empowerment in their lives. It is open to undergraduate students of any major – or those who have already been accepted to a college or university for undergraduate studies – who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
AdvancePoint Capital offers a $1,000 scholarship to those who write an amazing 1,000-word essay on the importance of financial literacy as a student. There is no minimum GPA requirement, but students must submit proof of enrollment or an acceptance letter from a college or university. The deadline for each year’s submission is August 1.
The U.S. Bank Student Scholarship is an annual scholarship competition that awards greater amounts for the more financial literacy lessons students complete. Grand prize winners receive up to $14,000 in scholarship money! The annual scholarship competition season ends on October 30.
A simple scholarship form to fill out, with only a 5-sentence short answer, is the Active Life Scholarship for Financial Literacy. The deadline is March 31, and winners receive $1,000. Any academic major is eligible, and graduate students may also apply.
Finally, Bold.org, which focuses on fighting student debt, is offering a $500 scholarship for essays about the importance of financial literacy. The essay topic: Why is it important for you to manage your finances as a student? What do you do to manage your finances well?
