Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Acting Bank Commissioner Tim Kemp, and Shannon Santschi of the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner announced the opening of the 2019 Kansas Financial Scholars Essay Scholarship Contest today. The contest will run from January 17 through April 1, 2019.

“Kansas High School seniors will soon make decisions about post-secondary education that will impact their future for years to come,” said Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. “I’m pleased to support this program because it not only provides a scholarship to help offset the rising cost of post-secondary education, but it also provides a solid financial education that prepares students to make better financial choices for their future.”

Acting State Bank Commissioner Tim Kemp added, “Financial literacy is integral to the future success of Kansas which includes our Kansas youth. The Office of the State Bank Commissioner is proud to contribute scholarship funds to promote increased financial knowledge and support further educational opportunities. I encourage all Kansas educators to promote this opportunity and Kansas seniors to participate.”

New this year: The top scholarship award has increased to $3,000. Subsequent awards are as follows: 2nd place--$2,000, 3rd, 4th and 5th places--$1,000 each.

Students who choose to participate in the competition will be asked to write a two-part composition. Part 1 requires students write an essay about an experience that has influenced their views on money management. In Part 2, students will interview someone who is active in the field they aspire to, and provide analysis on how they will apply what they’ve learned from the essay and interview to their life as they prepare for the future.

“Since we initiated this contest five years ago, the goal has always been to promote financial education in our high schools and invest in young Kansans’ vision for the future,” said Shannon Santschi, Director of Investor Education for the Securities Commissioner’s Office. “To date, nearly 400 students have participated in an approved financial literacy programming and submitted essays to our contest. Additionally, $30,000 in scholarships has been awarded to high school seniors who have committed to attending schools of higher learning here in Kansas.”

To be eligible, students must be in their senior year and attending a Kansas public, private or home school. They must plan to attend a Kansas technical school, trade school, college or university after high school graduation. Eligibility is also dependent on students participating in one of six approved financial education courses; among them: EverFi/Kansas Financial Scholars Program, The Stock Market Game and Foundations in Personal Finance.

For a complete list of eligible programs and contest rules, visit www.ksc.ks.gov/essaycontest.

Teachers, parents or students may inquire with the Director of Investor Education at Shannon.Santschi@ks.gov or 785-296-4756 to sign up today for one of the complimentary prerequisite programs.