Get Your Students Writing for a Chance to Win!

Keys to Financial Success Essay Contest 

2024-2025

Two $2,500 Student Scholarships Awarded

$100 Gift Card for Teacher of Winning Student

(One gift card per teacher, even if multiple students win.)

The Delaware Bankers Association will award two (2) $2,500 scholarships to students enrolled in a Keys to Financial Success course this school year.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Students enrolled in grades 10-12 who will complete their Keys to Financial Success course by the end of the 2024-2025 school year are eligible for the scholarships.

DEADLINE

All essays must be received by Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10:00 am to be considered for the scholarship.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit essays to:    Keys to Financial Success Essay Scholarship

c/o Scott Bacon

bacons@udel.edu

Essays may be submitted as a pdf or word file, any time up to April 4th.

TEACHERS:

Over the school year, if you have:

0-59 students in Keys:           submit your best 3 essays.

60-100 students in Keys:       submit your best 4 essays.

over 100 students in Keys:    submit your best 5 essays.

It is recommended that this essay be used as a whole-class writing assignment that will help students practice Common Core writing skills. The Grade 11 Argumentative Writing Rubric is a good measure for the students to use when writing their essay.

CRITERIA:

Essays should be three to four pages, double spaced, Times New Roman font 12, explaining:

“How might personal finance education lead to more equitable outcomes?” 

Essays should provide specific examples related to Keys to Financial Success themes, knowledge, and skills. Essays will be judged based on organization, purpose, evidence, elaboration and conventions. Include the student's name, school and teacher's name on the title page.

I. Essays must be submitted by the teacher for consideration. No essays will be  

    accepted directly from students. Essays must be the original work of the 

    student. Teachers must check for plagiarism before submission.

 II. Judging will be done by representatives of the Delaware Bankers Association 

     and the Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship.

III. Winners will be notified by April 17, 2025. Awarding of the scholarship will 

     take place at the Delaware Bankers Association Annual Dinner Meeting in 

     May 2025. The recipients of the scholarship and parent(s) or guardians

     must be present to accept the scholarship. More details will be made 

     available.

Click here for a pdf version, which also includes

information on what makes an excellent essay submission.