New Video Contest for a Federal Scholarship

“I Am What I Learn.” That’s the theme for the new video contest that the U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring — and there’s no written essay required.

Could you use an extra $1000 for college? Here’s your scholarship contest invitation from Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education:

Courtesy of the Department of Education on YouTube

The contest is open to active college students, high school students, and middle school students (age 13 and up).

The video submission deadline is November 2, 2009.

Why is education important to your future?

That’s the question your video should answer. There are no restrictions on video style, and creativity is encouraged! Winners get a $1,000 cash prize to put towards education expenses.

How the Video Contest Works

• Between November 2nd and 9th, a panel of judges (including Secretary Duncan) will review all the video submissions that arrived on time and choose 10 finalists.
• From the 9th to the 24th, the finalists’ videos will be posted on the U.S. Department of Education’s official YouTube channel, where the public can vote on their favorites.
• Finally, the top three finalists with the most votes will each win a $1,000 prize from the U.S. Department of Education. Winners will be announced the week of December 1.

Winning videos will be chosen based on creativity, originality, strength, and the ability to inspire.

Video Contest Rules

For your video to qualify for consideration:

• You must be actively attending school
• Your video must be two minutes or less in length
• You must include the Department of Education’s website, www.ED.gov/IAmWhatILearn, in your video
• You must have a YouTube account (see below)
• The content of your video must be original (and can’t be rude or offensive)
• Your video must convey both the importance of education and your personal academic goals

Where to Submit Your Video

You can submit your video right on the “I Am What I Learn” contest website. If you’re chosen as a finalist, you’ll be contacted through your YouTube account.

Read the Video Contest Fine Print!

Be sure to read the complete contest rules and FAQ on the www.ED.gov/IAmWhatILearn site.

The Department of Education is calling the $1,000 awarded to video contest winners a cash prize. And maybe it’s only a one-time contest and a one-time prize. But you won’t have to pay it back and it may help you pay that one last college bill this fall. Sounds like a scholarship to me!

Good luck!