Budgeting for Success Scholarship

Budgeting for Success Scholarship

Funder: Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt (DebtSmarts)

Program Status: Inaugural year 2026

Geographic Scope: Wisconsin (two-year colleges, four-year universities, and Registered Apprenticeship Programs)

Award Amount: $1,000 per scholarship; 3-4 scholarships awarded annually

Award Use: Funds may be used for tuition, textbooks, required supplies, housing, transportation, or other educational expenses during the academic year

Focus Areas:

Eligibility Requirements

• Special Note: For the inaugural year (2026), only past Money Smart scholarship winners are invited to apply
• Currently enrolled in a two-year or four-year college/university in Wisconsin OR a Registered Apprenticeship Program
• Plan to continue enrollment through the upcoming academic year
• Pursuing a degree or credential in any field
• Must submit video (2-3 minutes) or written essay (400-600 words)
• Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (no minimum GPA requirement)
• Must have filed 2026-27 FAFSA

Award Details

• Scholarships are one-time, non-renewable awards
• Recipients will serve as student members of the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt
• Recipients expected to attend quarterly meetings (in-person or virtual)
• Recipients will actively contribute to the organization's mission

Selection Criteria

Submissions evaluated based on:
• Clarity and originality of response
• Practicality and creativity in budgeting strategies
• Personal reflection and authenticity
• Quality of presentation (for videos) or writing (for essays)

Contact Information

• Email: MoneySmart@debtsmarts.org
• Website: debtsmarts.org/scholarship