Description
Welcome to the 2026 W!se Ambassador Award Competition!
The Financial Literacy Ambassadors Award is a $5,000 monetary award distributed to five students ($1,000 each). Students who scored at least 95% on our Financial Literacy Certification Test in the 2025-26 school year are eligible to apply.
The award is made possible through the sponsorship of the Financial Literacy Outreach (FLO) Mentors, a group of W!se volunteers who are passionate about helping young people improve their knowledge of personal finance. We are truly grateful to FLO Mentors for this generous sponsorship.
Eligibility
Financial Literacy Ambassadors Award Applicants must be a student (grades 9-12)
- Scored at least 95% on the W!se Financial Literacy Certification Test while enrolled in a high school registered Financial Literacy Certification program AND
- Took the W!se Certification Test in the summer of 2025, Fall of 2025, or Spring of 2026.
To be considered for the Award, applicant must:
- Complete the online application (click here to apply)
- 1. Write an essay in 800-1000 words that responds to at minimum one of the topics in part 1(i.e. 1A, 1B, 1C) AND part 2.(400 words maximum) What lessons I learned from studying personal finance in high school and how:
- A. I am or have been applying these lessons,
- B. Will apply these lessons throughout my life,
- C. My knowledge of personal finance helped or enabled me to help another person address financial situation, challenge, issue, etc.
- 2. (400 words minimum, 600 words Maximum): Think about a moment when you noticed someone struggling with a financial issue in your community (this could be something you experienced yourself or observed in others). What happened, and why did it matter to you? How do you think you could have helped in that situation, whether through knowledge, support, or resources?
Request a school official, an employer or mentor (or equivalent role model) to submit a letter of recommendation. Author needs to disclose the relationship with the applicant and provide phone number and email addresses. This letter CANNOT be written by a family member or friend.
- Agree, if selected, for the Award, to complete a short W!se survey once a year for three consecutive years after the Award is made.
- Agree, if selected for an award, to be interviewed by W!se, submit a headshot photograph and agree to the use of my name and image in W!se publications, a press release and public relation materials.
The DEADLINE for submitting applications is June 30, 2026. Applications submitted AFTER June 30, 2026 will not be considered. Award winners will be notified around July 31, 2026.
We look forward to receiving and reviewing applications. If you have questions, please contact Lizzy Odom at lodom@wise-ny.org or (212) 421-2700.