$mart Kid Essay Contest for students grades 6-12th

Presented by

ABOUT THE CONTEST:

The “$mart Kid” Essay Contest is aimed at helping students develop knowledge of economic and personal finance concepts, understand budgets and the importance of financial planning and become better prepared for their future roles as consumers, investors, and workers. In support of Financial Literacy Month, the Financial Fitness Greater Austin (FFGA) “$mart Kid” Essay Contest, administered by Junior Achievement (JA) and presented by Capital One Bank, encourages students in grades 6-12 to answer this year’s "$mart Kid" question (see below). Students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to answer the question with an essay of 300 words or less and high school students are asked to answer the question in 500 words or less.

Four scholarships will be awarded:

High School: 1st Place - $4,500 2nd Place - $3,000
Grades 6th- 8th: 1st Place - $1,000 2nd Place - $500

Winners and their parents also receive a free financial planning consultation with the prize money being deposited in an appropriate savings product in the students’ name. Essay contest winners and their families will also be eligible to sit at the Essay Contest Winners' Table at the JA Business in Action luncheon on April 21, 2010.

THIS YEAR'S QUESTION:

Most youth have career aspirations, even from an early age. Thinking about your future, please answer the following questions.

What field do you want to work in and why?
How will you be trained for this profession (trade school, college/university, and/or on-the-job training)?
How will you pay for this training?
How will incorporating a spending and savings plan help you achieve your professional and personal goals?

We look forward to your participation with this exciting opportunity from FFGA, JA and Capital One Bank.

GUIDELINES:

Candidates Must:

Submit their essay by Monday, April 12, 2010.
Be a student in grades 6-12.
Have an interest in money management skills (decision-making related to spending and saving, investing, use of credit, etc.) appropriate for their age and grade level.
Demonstrate how they practice good money management skills in their daily lives.
Be able to “think on their feet” –responding to questions from business leaders and media.
Be articulate –able to speak in front of large groups and cameras, and respond well to questions.
Live in the Greater Austin area.

To Apply:

The deadline for essay submissions is Monday, April 12, 2010.
Student must be recommended by a teacher using the attached form. Official school sponsorship is not required.
Students must have parent or guardian permission to apply and participate.
Student must write an essay (Grades 6-8, 300 words or less; high school, 500 words or less) on the assigned topic.
Essays should be typed on plain white paper, double-spaced. The $mart Kid Essay Application Form should be attached to the top of the essay pages.
The essay must be the work of the student submitting the essay.
The application form must be signed by the teacher and a parent/guardian.

Click for $mart Kid Essay Application - The deadline for essay submission is April 12, 2010.