Students in grades seven through eleven can now enter the 12th annual Money Smart Kid essay contest and compete for the chance to win $1,000 for college.

To be eligible for the contest, students must write a newspaper article style essay describing the potential devastating effects of a natural disaster on a family’s financial situation. The essay should be 400 words or fewer and should only focus on one type of natural disaster. The essay should also include tips and resources for readers to help prepare them for a potential unexpected crisis.

The student with the winning essay will be selected as Iowa’s Money Smart Kid for 2018, and receive the $1,000 award towards a college savings fund through the Iowa Bankers Association. The winner will also serve as an ambassador during Money Smart Week Iowa in April. Essays are due by Friday, March 16th.