America First seeks applicants for financial literacy scholarships

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America First Credit Union and its partners are seeking applicants for Jump$tart scholarships.

The $1,000 awards will be given to four high school students who demonstrate they know the nuances of financial literacy.

"There's more to financial literacy than just balancing a checkbook," John Lund, America First president and CEO, said in a statement. "You need to know the difference between good debt and bad debt, and how to take full advantage of existing resources."

Students must be high school seniors and enrolled in or have already passed their required financial literacy course. In addition, they must be planning to continue their education at a college, university or trade school.

To apply for the Utah JumpStart Coalition Scholarship:

1) Complete an application at www.utahjumpstart.org

2) Complete the FAFSA application at www.fafsa.gov

3) Register for a FAFSA pin

4) Prove application to college or trade school

5) Write an essay, consisting of 750 words maximum, explaining a financial concept the student would like to learn more about. List three ways of using this information in life and explain how it will help in the future.

Jump$tart entries must be received by email or postmarked by March 22. Late, incomplete and handwritten entries will not be accepted. Submissions may be mailed or emailed as a PDF to Anna Tibbitts, Utah Jump$art Coalition, P.O. Box 640, West Jordan, Utah 84084. Entries also can be emailed as a PDF to annatibbitts@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.utahjumpstart.org.