Money Smart Week^® Feature

MSW Teams Launch Essay Contest

Money Smart Kid essay contests have been launched in cities throughout Illinois and Iowa in preparation for Money Smart Week 2008. Committees will be searching for 'money savvy' kids to enter the contest and compete for a chance to win college scholarships and other prizes.

Kay Kamin of Today's Chicago Woman and Loretta Abrams of HSBC North America present 2007 Money Smart Kid Christopher Szulc with a $5,000 scholarship check on April 30, 2007.

Many new contests have been launched this year. While the majority are open to sixth through eighth graders, Bloomington/Normal (PDF,655KB) and Peoria (PDF,1.2MB) offer essay questions for ninth through 12th graders as well. All candidates must have knowledge of money management skills appropriate for their age and grade level, demonstrate those skills in their daily lives, and be able to "think on their feet".

Rules, essay topics and prizes vary from city to city with entry deadlines starting in early March. For complete details and rules for your local contest, click on your city/region below:

• Bloomington/Normal Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,655KB)
• Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,2MB)
• Chicago Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,1.2MB)
• Des Moines Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,2MB)
• Peoria Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,1.2MB)
• Quad Cities Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,1.4MB)
• Rockford Money Smart Kid Packet (PDF,4MB)