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2024-2025 Money Fit National Scholarship Application

The application period for our 4th Annual 2024-2025 scholarship is now open! Apply now for a chance to win $1,000 towards your college expenses.

The winner will be announced on August 1st, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to support your education!

Introduction

Our challenge is simple, but it’s designed to get you thinking about your financial future while providing us with valuable insights for shaping future financial education projects.

So, break out your laptop and take the survey!

Requirements

To qualify for the Money Fit National Scholarship, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Attend school in the United States
  • Be in grades 9-12 or enrolled in your Freshman or Sophomore year in college (public, private, religious, or charter school)
    OR
  • Be enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program
    OR
  • Be participating in a home school program

Disqualifications

You may be disqualified if any of the following apply:

  • Providing false or inaccurate contact or school-related information
  • Submitting multiple entries, either by yourself or on behalf of the same individual
View Rules and Guidelines

Money Fit Annual Scholarship Rules & Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the Money Fit by DRS Scholarship Program.

We offer ONE award, which is available to all United States citizens or legal residents, who reside in the United States, who are students no older than 20 years of age and no younger than 16 years of age as of the end of the Scholarship Contest Period and who (1) attend school in the United States, and (2) who are in grades 9-12 or are enrolled in Freshman or Sophomore years in college that are attending public, private, religious, or charter schools, or (3) are enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program, or (4) are attending a home school program.

Description

  • The purpose of the MONEY FIT National Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to students interested in pursuing a Money Fit life.
  • An individual may receive a MONEY FIT scholarship only once.
  • Award recipients who withdrew or graduated from college will forfeit their scholarship.
    $1,000 Annual Scholarship Announced August 1st, 2025
  • The Award will be distributed in the amount of $1,000 USD within 3 months of the award announcement.

Complete Eligibility Rules and Guidelines

Effective September 1, 2024, at 12:01 AM EDT
Deadline: July 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM HST

SECTION 1: GENERAL RULES
Beginning on Sunday, September 1, 2024, and running through Tuesday, July 15th, 2025.

From Sunday, September 1, 2024 through Tuesday, July 15, 2025 (the scholarship “Contest Entry Period”), Money Fit by DRS, Inc. will host a scholarship contest in the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

Only one entry per student is permitted. Entries that are incomplete, are submitted late, do not answer all required questions, contain information other than as requested, or otherwise do not comply with these Official Rules and Regulations will be automatically disqualified. By entering the Scholarship Contest, entrants agree that Money Fit by DRS, Inc. will own and administer 100% of the copyright in all entries submitted, with the perpetual right to use such entries, and that said entries are solely the work of the entrant for whom they are submitting an entry. Money Fit by DRS, Inc. may edit for grammar, modify for style only, and distribute the submitted entries with no additional notification or permission of the entrant. Entries will only be used to further the educational mission and goals of Money Fit by DRS, Inc.

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY
The Scholarship Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents, who reside in the United States and have permanent residence in a state listed in Section 1, and who are students no older than 20 and no younger than 16 as of the deadline of the Scholarship Contest Period. Applicants must:
(1) Attend school in the United States
(2) Be in or enrolled in grades 9-12 or enrolled full-time (12 or more semester credit hours) in the first or second years of college that are attending public, private, religious, or charter schools
(3) Be enrolled in a GED or correspondence school program
(4) Be attending a home school program in the equivalent grades listed under (2).

Employees of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. and their family members are ineligible. Scholarship judges and their family members are also ineligible.

SECTION 3: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Each submission must include answers to the 20 multiple-choice questions and must be submitted by 11:59 PM HST on July 15, 2025. Only online submissions will be accepted for the contest. Answers are required but have no influence on your eligibility or on your chances of winning.

SECTION 4: DRAWING AND TIMING
After the Contest Period, Money Fit by DRS, Inc. will use a digitally randomized program to select the prize winner. Entries will be evaluated based on eligibility. Applicants with multiple entries will be disqualified and eliminated from the drawing. The winner will be announced on the contest site on or before August 1st, 2025.

Money Fit by DRS, Inc. reserves the right in their sole administration of the Contest to disqualify any individual they find or believe to:
(i) be tampering with the entry process or the administration of the Contest, or
(ii) be acting in violation of these Official Rules and Regulations.

The selection of the randomizing program is within the sole and absolute discretion of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. The program selected by Money Fit by DRS, Inc. will not have a direct connection to anyone in a position to affect the objectivity and impartiality of the contest.

SECTION 5: AWARD
Winners will be announced on the contest site on or before August 1st, 2025. Winners must provide publicity photos, contact information, and school information in order to receive prize money. Winners will receive the following prize based on the selection process as outlined in Section 4.

Cash prize for Winner of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. Scholarship Contest
One Winner Will Be Selected and Announced by August 1st, 2025
Grand Prize Scholarship Award – $1,000

The prize will be awarded within three (3) months of the announcement of the Contest winner. Prize not claimed within 180 days of the check date or the end of the Contest announcement date will be void. Money Fit by DRS, Inc. will make its best effort to mail the prize to the winner and is not responsible for incorrect address provided by the contestant. A valid United States address, within a state listed in Section 1, is required for delivery, via certified mail, of the scholarship prize-winnings. All entrants are solely responsible for understanding and complying with any and all federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances that may apply to the entrants and the activities or business in which such entrants may engage. Since scholarship funds are dispersed directly to the winner, there may be tax consequences associated with the prizes and income received by the Contest winner, which may include, without limitation, an obligation to report as income and to pay taxes on such income to federal, state, or local authorities. The Contest winner is responsible for determining the tax consequences of the income received and complying with all applicable laws in all respects. The contest winner is solely responsible for understanding and complying with any and all federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.

SECTION 6: PRIVACY STATEMENT
Upon submission of an entry, the submission becomes the property of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. By entering the Contest, entrants grant Money Fit by DRS, Inc. the right, unless prohibited by law, to use their initials (First and Last), cities and states of residence, without compensation, for the express purpose of advertising and publicity of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. and the Contest in any and all media, now or after. Entrants also grant Money Fit by DRS, Inc. permission to use their initials (First and Last), cities and states of residence and entry submission to further its educational mission as stated here. The Privacy Policy of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. also applies to this Scholarship Contest. The Privacy Policy can be found here: moneyfit.org/privacy-policy-and-disclosures.

SECTION 7: AVAILABILITY DISCLAIMER
The administration of the Contest, including, without limitation, determining the eligibility of a student or entry, selecting a drawing program, evaluating any submitted entry, and awarding of the prizes, is within the sole and absolute discretion of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. No student or parent or teacher, or person or organization related thereto, has a right to appeal, contest, dispute, or otherwise challenge any aspect of the administration of the Contest, and any decision of Money Fit by DRS, Inc. is final in all respects.

Money Fit by DRS, Inc. assumes no responsibility for incorrect or inaccurate entry information whether caused by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized by this contest or by any human error which may occur in the processing of entries into this Contest. Money Fit by DRS, Inc. is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, or delayed entries or any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of players on account of technical problems, or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof.

If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, malware, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Money Fit by DRS, Inc., which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this contest or for any reason Money Fit by DRS, Inc. deems it necessary, Money Fit by DRS, Inc. reserves the right to cancel, modify, or delay the Contest.

SECTION 8: NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
In administering the Contest, Money Fit by DRS, Inc. will not discriminate in any manner, including on the basis of race, gender, color, nationality, ethnicity, or place of origin.

Money Fit Scholarship 2024-2025

Money Fit by DRS Scholarship Contest Application Survey

Part 1 of 3: Personal Information

Please complete the following fields and click the "Submit Application" at the bottom of the page to complete your application.

The winner (s) will be chosen by a random drawing of all qualified and eligible scholarship applicants. You must answer the survey questions on the following pages in order to submit your application. Your Opinion and Knowledge survey answers will not impact your chances of winning.

One submission per individual. Multiple submissions by the same individual will disqualify that person from the scholarship award.

Full Legal Name
Full Legal Name
First
Last
E.g. Jim, Ellie, Mr. Johnson, etc.
We do not sell, transfer or provide your personal information to third-party entities or organizations. If you win the scholarship, we will first use your email address to notify you, so please ensure it is accurate.
Okay to:
Choose at least one
US Mailing Address
US Mailing Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Please confirm you are a US Citizen or Legal US Resident
By checking this box, you certify that you qualify for the citizenship and residency requirements. Providing false information will disqualify you from the Money Fit Scholarship Program
Have you submitted a 2024-2025 MONEY FIT SCHOLARSHIP application before?
A duplicate submission will disqualify you from the scholarship drawing. To confirm your submission (e.g. if your system hangs after you click "submit"), contact us at [email protected]
By checking the following box, you acknowledge that if selected as the scholarship winner, you will provide Money Fit with a publicity photo and the name of your post-secondary school (planned or enrolled)?
You must be 20 years old or YOUNGER on July 15, 2025 to be eligible for this scholarship. (Please enter 8-digit format. e.g. 08/01/2004)
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© 1996-2025 Money Fit by DRS
6213 N. Cloverdale Rd, Suite 130, Boise, ID 83713
Money Fit is a nationwide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We do not lend money.

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Client Credit Report Authorization

You hereby authorize and instruct Debt Reduction Services, Inc. (DRS, dba Money Fit by DRS) and/or its assigned agents to:
  • Obtain and review your credit report, and
  • Request verifications of your income and rental history, and any other information deemed necessary for improving your housing situation (for example, verifying your annual property tax obligations and homeowner’s insurance fees)
Your credit report will be obtained from a credit reporting agency chosen by DRS. You understand and agree that DRS intends to use the credit report evaluate your financial readiness to purchase or rent a home and/or to engage in post-purchase counseling activities and not to grant credit. You understand you may ask any questions pertaining to your credit report. However, while DRS will review the information with you, the company is not able to furnish you with a copy of your credit profile. You hereby authorize DRS to share your information from your credit report and any information that you provided (including any computations and assessments produced) with the entities listed below to help DRS determine your viable financial options.
  • Banks
  • Counseling Agencies
  • Debt Collectors
  • Landlords
  • Lenders
  • Mortgage Servicers
  • Property Management Companies
  • Public Housing Authorities
  • Social Service Agencies
Entities such as mortgage lenders and/or counseling agencies may contact your DRS counselor to evaluate the options for which you may be eligible. In connection with such evaluation, you authorize the credit reporting and/or financial agencies to release information and cooperate with your DRS counselor. No information will be discussed about you with entities not directly involved in your efforts to improve your housing situation. You hereby authorize the release of your information to program monitoring organizations of DRS, including but not limited to, Federal, State, and nonprofit partners for program review, monitoring, auditing, research, and/or oversight purposes. In addition, you authorize DRS to have your credit report pulled two additional times to conduct program evaluations. You also agree to keep DRS informed of any changes in address, telephone number, job status, marital status, or other conditions which may affect your eligibility for a program you have applied for or a counseling service that you are seeking. Finally, you understand that you may revoke consent to these disclosures by notifying DRS in writing.

Client Privacy, Data Security, and Client Rights Policy

NOTE: This sheet is to inform new or returning clients about our services, records, fees, and limitations that may affect you as a consumer of our services. This form also discloses how we might release your information to other agencies and/or regulators. If you do not understand a statement, please ask a Debt Reduction Services (DRS) counselor for assistance.

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. (DRS) has put into place policies and procedures to protect the security and confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information. This notice explains our online information practices and how we use and maintain your information to conduct our financial education and credit counseling sessions and to fulfill information and question requests. This privacy policy complies with federal laws and regulations.

To provide our financial education and credit counseling services, we collect nonpublic personal information about you as follows: 1) Information we receive from you, 2) Information about your transactions with us or others, and 3) Information we receive from your creditors or a consumer reporting agency. We do not share this information with outside parties.

We use non-identifying and aggregate information to better design our website and services, but we do not disclose anything that could be used to identify you as an individual.

You hereby authorize DRS, when necessary, to share your nonpublic personal, financial, credit, and any information that you provided (including any computations and assessments produced) with the following entities in order to help DRS provide you with appropriate counseling or guide you to appropriate services: third parties such as government agencies, your lender(s), your creditor(s), and nonprofit housing-related and other financial agencies as permitted by law, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. We limit access to your nonpublic personal information to our employees, contractors and agents who need such access to provide products or services to you or for other legitimate business purposes.

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. complies with the privacy requirements set forth in the HUD housing counseling agency handbook 7610.1 (05/2010), including the sections 2-2 Mc, 3-1 H(2), 3-3, 5-3 F, and Attachment A.5. At all times, we will comply with all additional laws and regulations to which we are subject regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of individually identifiable information.

  1. Services: DRS provides the following housing-related services: counseling that includes Homeless Assistance, Rental Topics, Pre-purchase/Homebuying, and Home Maintenance and Financial Management for Homeowners (Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase); Education courses that include Financial literacy (including home affordability, budgeting, and understanding use of credit), Predatory lending, loan scam or other fraud prevention, Fair housing, Rental topics, Pre-purchase homebuyer education, Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop (including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners), and other workshops not listed above.

Please refer to DebtReductionServices.org for details of our services.

  1. Limits: Our services are limited to our normal weekday business hours. We do not provide individual counseling or education services after hours or on weekends, although our education courses are available 24/7.
  2. Fees: We do not charge fees for our financial management counseling and education. However, if you use them, you may have to pay for our Debt Management Program, Student Loan Counseling, Bankruptcy Certificate Services or certain financial education courses (homebuyer education, rental topics, fair housing, predatory lending, and post-purchase-non-delinquency including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners).
  3. Records: We maintain records of the services you receive, including notes about your progress or other relevant information to your work with us. You have the right to access and view your records by making a request to your counselor.
  4. Confidentiality: We respect your privacy and offer our services in confidence with the understanding that we may share such information with auditors and government regulators. Certain laws or situations may also lead to disclosing confidential issues, such as those involving potential child abuse or neglect, threats to harm self or others, or court subpoenas.
  5. Refusal of Services: You have the right to refuse services without any penalty or loss.
  6. Disclosure of Policies and Practices: You will be provided our agency disclosure statement.
  7. Sharing of Information: Sometimes we will need to contact other agencies or we may need to share your information, including your records, with other agencies or with regulators. We will do this only if you sign this form that gives us permission except for limited reasons; please see # 5 above for examples of such situations.
  8. Other: You have the right to be treated with respect by our staff, and we expect the same from you in return. We encourage you to always ask questions if something is not clear. We also encouraged you to express your thoughts and advocate throughout our services.

You acknowledge that this authorization will remain in effect for the duration of time that DRS serves as your housing counselor or financial education provider. You also acknowledge that should you wish to terminate this authorization, you will notify DRS in writing.

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Disclosure  Statement

NOTE: If you have an impairment, disability, language barrier, or otherwise require an alternative means of completing this form or accessing information about our counseling services, please communicate with your DRS representative about arranging alternative accommodations.

Program Disclosure Form

Disclosure to Client for HUD Housing Counseling Services

Debt Reduction Services, Inc. and its financial education arm, Money Fit by DRS, offer the following housing counseling and educational services related to housing, personal finance, and bankruptcy certificates to consumers:
  • Housing Education Courses: DRS offers many online self-guided education programs classified as Financial, Budgeting, and Credit Workshops (FBC), Fair Housing Pre-Purchase Education Workshops (FHW), Homelessness Prevention Workshops (HMW), Non-Delinquency Post Purchase Workshops (NDW), Predatory Lending Education Workshops (PLW), Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops (PPW), and Rental Housing Workshops (RHW). These courses help participants increase their knowledge of and skills in personal finance, including home affordability, budgeting, and understanding the use of credit, as well as predatory lending, loan scams, and other fraud prevention topics, fair housing, rental topics, pre-purchase homebuyer education, non-delinquency post-purchase topics including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners, homeless prevention workshop, and other workshops not listed above relating to personal finance and housing. Course details are found below under “Housing Workshops.”
  • Home Equity Conversation Mortgage (HECM) Counseling (RMC): Via telephone and virtual platforms, we offer the required HECM counseling nationwide in addition to in-person counseling in Boise, Idaho. We also offer in-home counseling options in thirty counties across southern Idaho for an additional fee to cover our travel and additional staff time costs.
  • Home Maintenance and Financial Management for Homeowners (Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase) (FBC): Clients receive counseling and materials on the proper maintenance of their home and mortgage refinancing. Clients can find help and resources by phone, in our Boise office, or virtually on all topics related to stabilizing their long-term homeownership.
  • Services for Homeless Counseling (HMC): Clients receive phone, virtual, or in-person (Boise) counseling to evaluate their current housing needs, identify barriers to and goals for housing stability, establish a path to self-sufficiency, and connect with emergency shelters, income-appropriate housing, and/or other community resources (e.g. mental healthcare, job training, transportation, etc.).
  • Pre-Purchase Counseling (PPC): Clients receive counseling through the entire homebuying process. Assistance may involve creating a sustainable household budget, understanding mortgage options, building their credit rating, and putting together a realistic action plan to set and achieve homeownership goals.  Additionally, clients will receive materials and resources about home inspections and other homeownership topics relevant to successfully maintaining a home.
  • Rental Housing Counseling (RHC): Via phone, in-person appointments (Boise, ID), or virtual platforms, clients receive housing counseling relevant to renting, including rent subsidies from HUD or other government and assistance programs. Topics can also address issues and concerns having to do with fair housing, landlord and tenant laws, lease terms, rent delinquency, household budgeting, and finding alternate housing.
DRS also offers the following services:
  • A Debt Management Program (DMP) for consumers struggling to pay their credit cards, collections, medical debts, personal loans, old utility bills, and past-due cell phone accounts;
  • The Budget Briefing and Debtor Education Certificates that are required during the Bankruptcy filing process;
  • A Student Loan Repayment Plan Counseling and application service.

Relationships with Industry Partners

Through such services, DRS has established financial relationships with hundreds of banks, credit unions, and creditors such as American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase, Citibank, Credit One, Discover, Synchrony, US Bank, USAA, Wells Fargo, and others.

No Client Obligation

The client is not obligated to receive, purchase or utilize any other services offered by DRS or its exclusive partners to receive financial education or housing counseling services. Alternatives: As a condition of our counseling services, in alignment with meeting our client services goals, and in compliance with HUD’s Housing Counseling Program requirements, we may provide information on alternative services, programs, and products available to you, if applicable and known by our staff. Alternative DMP services include negotiating better repayment terms directly with your individual creditors, paying your debts as agreed, or, in extreme cases, filing for personal bankruptcy. Alternative credit and education services can be found through MyMoney.gov or the Jump$tart Clearinghouse of online financial education resources. Housing counseling alternatives can be found through HUD at www.hud.gov/findacounselor.
Finally, you understand that you may revoke consent to these disclosures by notifying DRS in writing.
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Housing Counseling and Education Fee Schedule

 

Online Education Program Fees*

Homebuyer Education Course: $59 per participant

  • Self-paced course available here, our online housing counseling and education center. Certificates will be automatically generated upon completion of the course (approximately 6-8 hours)

Rental, Fair Housing, Predatory Lending / HOEPA, Post-Purchase (Non-delinquency post-purchase workshop, including home maintenance and/or financial management for homeowners) Online Workshops: $49 per participant

  • Approximately 1 hour each

Other Self-Guided Financial Literacy Webinars (e.g. credit, budgeting, homeless prevention, debt prevention): $0

One-on-one Counseling Fees*

Pre-purchase Homebuying Counseling, Rental Counseling, Post-purchase Ownership Maintenance and Financial Management: $75

  • Session by the hour

Reverse Mortgage/HECM Counseling with Required Certificate:

  • $200†

Credit Report Fee: Paid Directly by Client

*Fees for all but our online education courses and workshops can be paid online by debit card, credit card, or PayPal or in person by cash, check or money order to: “Debt Reduction Services, Inc.” Registration fees are non-refundable 24 hours or less before the start of an in-person course or workshop. Certificates are non-transferable

*Fees may be waived for households with income of 150% or less of that identified on the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines Page

†Home visit counseling is available in 30 southern Idaho counties for potential HECM borrowers at additional costs to cover our travel (IRS reimbursement rates apply) and staff time ($50 per hour or fraction there).

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Housing Counseling and Education Fee Schedule  

Online EDUCATION Program Fees* 

eHome Homebuyer Education Course: $99 per household** 

  • Self-paced course available here, our online housing counseling and education center. Certificates will be automatically generated upon completion of the course (approximately 6-8 hours) 

Online Workshops: $49 per participant 

  • Rental, Fair Housing, Predatory Lending Post-Purchase, HECM Family Member  
  • Approximately 1 hour each 

Other Self-Guided Financial Literacy Webinars: $0 

  • Credit, budgeting, homelessness prevention, debt prevention 
  • Approximately 30-60 minutes each 

One-on-one COUNSELING Fees* 

Pre-purchase Home Buying, Renter Issues, Homelessness, and Fair Housing: $0  

Post-purchase Ownership and Maintenance, HOEPA or Financial Management $75/hr  

Reverse Mortgage/HECM Counseling with Required Certificate $200 per household†  

Credit Report Fee Paid Directly by Client 

*Fees for all but our online education courses and workshops can be paid online by debit card, credit card, or PayPal or in person by cash, check or money order to: “Debt Reduction Services, Inc.” Registration fees are non-refundable 24 hours or less before the start of an in-person course or workshop. Certificates are non-transferable 

*Fees may be waived for households with income of 150% or less of that identified on the US Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines Page 

**Household is an individual or a couple  
†Home visit counseling is available in 30 southern Idaho counties for potential HECM borrowers at additional costs to cover our travel (IRS reimbursement rates apply) and staff time ($50 per hour or fraction there)