Kansas high school seniors have the opportunity to win up to $2500 in scholarship money to help cover the cost of tuition at a Kansas school of higher education by entering the Kansas Financial Scholars Essay Scholarship Contest. The contest is jointly sponsored by the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner (KSC) and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC). A total of five scholarships, ranging from $500 to the top $2500 prize, will be awarded to Kansas high school seniors.

In a three to four page essay, students are asked to profile an individual whose personal financial habits impacted the lives of others, and apply the wisdom or a lesson from that person’s life to their own future financial plans.

“Investing in the financial education of our college-aged citizens is central to our mission of equipping Kansans to grow and protect their assets,” said Securities Commissioner Josh Ney. “Through this scholarship program, we hope to raise awareness of the importance of financial prudence to the individual lives of Kansans and the future of our state.”

“We are pleased to support financial education programs that help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make sound financial decisions for their future. These scholarships give students the opportunity to earn money for higher education by sharing what they have learned through participation in these programs,” said Bank Commissioner Deryl Schuster.

Participation in one of the three financial literacy programs sponsored by both agencies (EverFi, the Stock Market Game or Life$marts) is a prerequisite to entering the contest. Teachers, parents or students may contact the KSC to sign up today for one of the free prerequisite programs by calling 800-232-9580 to speak with Shannon Stone, the Director of Investor Education for the KSC.

Essays will be accepted from Feb. 16, 2015 through April 1, 2015. To learn more about participating in the Financial Scholars Essay Scholarship Contest, visit www.ksc.ks.gov, www.osbckansas.org, or send an email to Shannon.Stone@ksc.ks.gov.