September has been proclaimed “College Savings Month” in Kansas in conjunction with Learning Quest, a state-created program to help families invest in postsecondary education.

Part of the program is an essay contest for seventh- and eighth-graders who attend Kansas public or private schools, or are home-schooled.

Students must write an essay describing a profession of interest to them and explain what steps they should take to prepare for that profession. One winner and one runner-up will be chosen per grade for a $1,000 or $500 Learning Quest investment account and a celebration party.

More information and entry form downloads are available at www.learningquest.com/essay. Contest entries must be received by Sept. 30.