PENNSYLVANIA: High school students across the Commonwealth are being encouraged to explore the real-world importance of money management as part of the 13th Annual Student Financial Literacy Scholarship Competition.

Open to students in grades 9 through 12, the statewide contest invites participants to submit a short essay, poem, or video centered on this year’s theme: “What Does Financial Literacy Mean to Me?” The competition provides young Pennsylvanians with an opportunity to reflect on budgeting, saving, credit, investing, and long-term financial planning — skills increasingly recognized as essential for life beyond graduation.

Student winners will be announced and publicly honored during Financial Literacy Month, observed annually in April. Organizers say the goal is not only to reward creativity and thoughtful analysis, but also to encourage stronger financial education across Pennsylvania schools.

Scholarship Awards Available

The competition offers multiple levels of financial awards:

  • One First Place ($1,500) award for each grade level (9–12).
  • One Honorable Mention ($500) award for each grade level (9–12).
  • One Grand Prize ($2,500) for the best overall entry.

In addition to those prizes, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology will award a one-time $1,000 scholarship to each student who submits a competition entry and later applies to and is accepted as a full-time student at the university.

Harrisburg University hosts the competition in partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of Auditor General and Members 1st Federal Credit Union, organizations that have emphasized the growing need for stronger financial literacy education among young adults.

Why Financial Literacy Matters

As students prepare for adulthood, understanding personal finance is increasingly viewed as a foundational skill. From managing student loans and credit cards to navigating taxes and long-term savings, financial literacy plays a critical role in economic independence and stability.

Competitions like this one encourage students to think critically about how financial knowledge affects their personal goals, family circumstances, and future career paths. By inviting participants to define what financial literacy means in their own words, organizers aim to foster both creativity and practical awareness.

Submission Deadline

The deadline for competition submissions is March 20th.

Students must submit their entry online through the official Harrisburg University competition page:

👉 https://www.harrisburgu.edu/hufinancialliteracy/

Full eligibility requirements and submission guidelines are available at that link.

Educators, parents, and school administrators are encouraged to share the opportunity with eligible students before the deadline.