USA Scholarships
Financial Goals Scholarship 2027 - $2,000/month
The 1st Financial Bank USA Financial Goals Scholarship® celebrates students who tie education plans to smart money habits. Sponsor 1FBUSA awards $2,000 to one winner each calendar month while the promotion runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. You must be a U.S. resident at least 18 years old and either enrolled in or planning to enroll in a college degree program. Submit the entry form at 1fbusascholarship.com with an original essay of up to 500 words answering the live prompt. The official rules prohibit essays written by AI tools, limit you to one eligible entry for the entire two-year promotion, and bar past winners from re-entering. Winners are notified by email and announced by the 15th of the month after each entry period closes.
What is the 1st Financial Bank USA Financial Goals Scholarship®?
1FBUSA built this promotion around a simple idea: students who think clearly about money and college deserve a spotlight, not just another generic sweepstakes. Each month through the end of 2027 the bank picks one entrant for $2,000 based mainly on a short essay, so your writing has to sound like you, not like a chatbot.
The rules are stricter than many monthly contests. You get one eligible entry for the entire two-year promotion, period. If you already won this named scholarship, you cannot come back. If you are an employee or immediate family at the bank, you are out. The essay cap is 500 words, AI-generated text is banned, and judges care about spelling, grammar, detail, and creativity.
Timing is rolling. Every month has its own entry window closing at 11:59 p.m. Central, with winners announced by the 15th of the next month. Enter once when your draft is ready, guard your inbox for the winner email, and remember that a real win eventually triggers tax paperwork, not a request for your bank login at entry time. 1FBUSA repeats that warning because scholarship scams still target students.
Eligibility
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✓U.S. resident age 18 or olderThe promotion is open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 at the time of entry. Employees of 1FBUSA and their immediate family members are ineligible.
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✓College degree program enrollment plansYou must be planning to enroll in or currently enrolled in a college degree program. Certificate-only paths may not qualify unless they are part of a degree-granting program the rules recognize.
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✓One eligible entry for the entire promotionOfficial rules allow only one eligible entry per person across the full promotion period from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, even though winners are chosen monthly.
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✓Not a prior Financial Goals Scholarship winnerAnyone who already won this named 1FBUSA scholarship may not enter again during their lifetime under the published rules.
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✓Original human-written essayYour response must be original work not generated by AI writing tools or large language models. 1FBUSA may disqualify entries that appear AI-produced.
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✓Agreement to official rulesParticipation requires accepting the full contract on 1fbusascholarship.com, including publicity releases if you win and tax reporting on IRS Form W-9.
Benefits
- Cash award $2,000 per monthly winner
- Winners per month One recipient each entry period
- Promotion length Monthly draws through December 31, 2027
- Purchase required No purchase necessary
- Repeat entries Only one eligible entry per person total
- Past winners May not enter again
Document checklist
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✓Online entry formComplete the free form at https://1fbusascholarship.com during an open monthly entry period. 1FBUSA will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card to enter.
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✓500-word essay responseAnswer the essay prompt published on the site in 500 words or fewer. Follow spelling and grammar carefully because judges weigh writing quality.
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✓Contact informationProvide a valid email address and phone number. Winners are notified by email and must respond within five business days.
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✓Optional social postRules mention an optional public Facebook or Instagram post stating you entered. It does not replace the official form and does not add extra entries.
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✓IRS Form W-9 if selectedWinners supply a completed W-9 with Social Security number, address, and phone for tax reporting. This step happens only after you win, not at entry.
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✓Affidavit and publicity releaseSelected winners must return signed release documents within the deadline Sponsor provides or forfeit the prize.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the 1FBUSA Financial Goals Scholarship?
It is a monthly $2,000 scholarship promotion from 1st Financial Bank USA for U.S. residents age 18 or older who are in or planning a college degree program. You enter with a short essay on the official site.
How much is the Financial Goals Scholarship?
Each monthly winner receives $2,000. The approximate value is fixed at $2,000 per prize, though Sponsor notes actual value may vary slightly for tax purposes.
Can I apply every month for the Financial Goals Scholarship?
No. Official rules allow only one eligible entry per person for the entire promotion from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, even though a new winner is chosen each month.
Does the Financial Goals Scholarship allow AI-written essays?
No. 1FBUSA disqualifies entries created with AI writing tools, chatbots, or large language models. Write the essay yourself.
Who is eligible for the Financial Goals Scholarship?
U.S. residents at least 18 years old who plan to enroll or are enrolled in a college degree program may enter, except 1FBUSA employees, their families, prior winners of this scholarship, and household members of ineligible employees.
When are Financial Goals Scholarship winners announced?
Sponsor states winners are notified and announced on or before the 15th of the month following each entry period. Check your email spam folder around that date if you entered.
Is a purchase required to enter the 1FBUSA scholarship?
No purchase is necessary and purchases do not increase odds of winning. Entry is free through the online form.
Where do I apply for the Financial Goals Scholarship?
Submit the entry form at https://www.1fbusascholarship.com during an open monthly period. Read the official rules on the same page before you enter.
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