HMW's Essay Contest
April 2025 Essay Prompt
How can financial technologies (FinTech) like online banking, budgeting tools, and investment apps help you with money management? First, explain why it’s important to understand money basics in today’s world, and how it can help people make better choices and stay financially stable.
This essay is an opportunity to share your knowledge, beliefs, and personal experiences, as well as a chance to expand and display your financial literacy. Make sure to fully answer the prompt, be creative, and include and site any researched facts and statistics.
Did you know according to Plaid, in 2021, fintech reached mass adoption in the U.S., with the percentage of consumers using technology to manage their finances jumping from 58% to 88%.
2024 Essay Contest Winners





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Middle School
1st: Faith Auset Hill - $250
2nd: Jhaden Jackson - ChromeBook
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High School
1st: Monique Thompson - $500
2nd: Charles Crawford - ChromeBook
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College
1st: Kourey Johnson - $1000
2nd: Chinaemenma Amaobi-Joseph - ChromeBook
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Adult
1st: Alexxis Mitchell - $1000
2nd: Betty Burleigh - ChromeBook
2023 Essay Contest Winners





Adult: 1st Place|$1,500|Alexander Govea|Main Street Ministries • 2nd Place|Chromebook|Robert Thomas|Prairie View A&M
High School: 1st Place(Tie)|$1,000|MacKenzie Romain|William B Travis High School • 1st Place(Tie)|$1,000|Jasmine Gradney|Grand Oaks High School • 2nd Place|Chromebook|Chasity Thomas|Langham High School
Middle School: 1st Place|$500|Ava Collins|Young Women College Preparatory Academy
Contest Rules
HMW Essay Contest Training: Click here to watch the recording of our information session on the 2024 Houston Money Week Essay Contest.
Participants must be:
• A student in grades 6-12, adult education learners or undergraduate college students, who live in the greater Houston area.
• Have knowledge of money management skills (decision-making related to spending and saving, investing, use of credit, etc.) appropriate for their age and grade level.
• Demonstrate how they practice good money management skills in their daily lives.
To Enter:
• Minor students must complete the entire application including teacher and parent information.
• Students must write an essay (a minimum of 500 words but no more than 750 words) on the assigned topic.
• The essay must be the work of the student submitting the essay.
Prizes:
• 1st and 2nd place prize winners will be announced for each of the following categories by May 10, 2025.
Categories:
• Colleges and Universities | Adult Education and Literacy Programs | High Schools | Middle Schools
(Actively enrolled and participating students in the Greater Houston Area)
You can enter the essay contest by clicking here. We are accepting ALL essays. Due to language limitations, we are only currently accepting essays in English.
Contest Judging
All essays become the property of Houston Money Week and may be used by Houston Money Week to promote financial education. All essays must meet the contest entry guidelines described above. Decisions of the judges are final in all matters relating to this contest. Contest judging determinations are at the sole and absolute discretion of the judges, and such decisions and determinations are not subject to further review or appeal by contestants. Because of the unique nature and scope of the contest, Houston Money Week cannot accurately predict the number of contestants who will participate in the Contest.
Also, the Houston Money Week Team cannot individually confirm receipt of all essays. Winners will be individually notified and contacted via email, mail or phone. All winners will be posted on the official Houston Money Week website and social media pages. Winners will be announced at the Houston Money Week Partner Kick-Off Reception. Information regarding scores awarded by judges will not be available.
Contest Judging
All essays become the property of Houston Money Week and may be used by Houston Money Week to promote financial education. All essays must meet the contest entry guidelines described above. Decisions of the judges are final in all matters relating to this contest. Contest judging determinations are at the sole and absolute discretion of the judges, and such decisions and determinations are not subject to further review or appeal by contestants. Because of the unique nature and scope of the contest, Houston Money Week cannot accurately predict the number of contestants who will participate in the Contest.
Also, the Houston Money Week Team cannot individually confirm receipt of all essays. Winners will be individually notified and contacted via email, mail or phone. All winners will be posted on the official Houston Money Week website and social media pages. Winners will be announced at the Houston Money Week Partner Kick-Off Reception. Information regarding scores awarded by judges will not be available.