13th Annual Financial Literacy Scholarship Essay Competition
In 2026, Harrisburg University will partner for the 13th year with the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General and Members 1st Federal Credit Union to host a Financial Literacy Scholarship Essay Competition. All students in grades 9–12 across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are eligible to participate.
Students! Share your perspectives, stories, and beliefs to respond to the competition’s theme: “WHAT DOES FINANCIAL LITERACY MEAN TO ME?” Submissions should be a short essay or poem in any creative format: video, design, audio recording, or simply a document.
This year, the competition prizes will be offered in a new format to better recognize each grade level. At the Closing Ceremony in April, the following winners will be announced:
- 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.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, March 20, 2026
Winners will be announced during Financial Literacy Month, during a formal presentation on April 22, 2026, at the PA Capitol Rotunda.
Photos from the 2024 Financial Literacy Scholarship Competition
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