Cash Composition Contest

Congratulation to our 2025 Contest Winners:

9-13 year old:

Liam L. (Ingham County)

William A. (Oakland County)

Julia G. (Livingston County)

14-19 year old:

Duray M. (Alger County)

Lauren K. (Oakland County)

Aleah S. (Houghton County)

Check out Michigan 4-H Cash Composition 2025 Winning Essays here or at the bottom of this page.

This contest is now closed. Come back next year for our new essay topic.

About the Contest:

In support of Financial Literacy Month (April), Michigan State University Extension and 4-H are coordinating the Cash Composition Contest. Youth residing in Michigan, age 9-19 as of (January 1, 2025) are encouraged to answer this year’s essay question (see below) with an essay of 300 words or less. We have 2 age brackets for the contest; 9-13 and 14-19. The top 3 scoring essays in each age bracket will win $100 gift card.

2025 Cash Composition Contest Flyer

Timeline:

February 28, 2025: Essay Submission due by 11:59 p.m.

April 1, 2025: Winners Announced

Cash Composition Topic:

Credit is borrowing money to obtain goods or services based on the trust that it will be paid back. Credit can be considered good and bad. How can borrowing money (or using credit such as taking a loan or having a credit card) end up being a good decision and when might it not? How and when will you decide if it is a good choice for you to borrow money? What are some tips you would give someone who needs to borrow money?

Essays are scored on:

Quality of Writing
Organization and Information
Grammar and Mechanics

Guidelines:

Participants must:
- Be between 9-19 years of age (as of Jan 1, 2025) living in the state of Michigan.
- Have knowledge of money management pillars of saving, spending, borrowing, and planning appropriate for age and grade level.

Resources to Prepare:

Attend a Crash Course: Credit Survival 101 webinar on either January 15 at 6pm EST or February 4 at 5:30pm EST (these will repeat content and include essay writing tips)
The self-guided Nearpod course on Credit
Watch the Michigan 4-H Adulting 101 presentation on Building and Protecting Your Credit
Articles that support the topic
Events (from MSU Extension staff) on credit
Utilizing the other credit education resources that are shared on the website

To Apply:

Youth under 18 must have parent or guardian permission to apply and participate.
The application form must be completed by a parent/guardian unless over 18.
Youth must write an essay (300 words or less) on the assigned topic above.
Essays must be submitted on the contest registration page.

Submit Essay Here

The essay must be the work of the student submitting the essay. It is highly recommended that youth write their essay prior to completing the registration/submission form.

All essays become the property of the Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Program and may be used by contest coordinators to promote financial literacy.

All submissions must be received by 11:59 pm (EST) on February 28, 2025.