Visa launches 'what's my score' online video contest

The "What's My Score Video Contest" is part of Visa's new What's My Score financial literacy program for college students and is aimed at raising awareness among young adults on the significance of understanding and improving their credit scores.

"Understanding the importance of maintaining a good credit score is vital for college students. Unfortunately, far too few students even know what a credit score is, let alone their own score," said Jason Alderman, director of financial education for Visa USA. "We are looking to tap the limitless creativity of amateur filmmakers to make short videos that speak directly to college students on the vital subject of credit scores."

Filmmakers have until July 31, 2007 to register and submit original, 30- second videos on the importance of personal credit awareness to the What's My Score website. Once Visa approves a video entry, each filmmaker will have the ability to embed their video on other websites to help garner public votes for their submission while spreading the message about the significance of credit scores. Each contestant's video will also be given its own customized What's My Score website link. In addition to receiving monetary prizes, Visa will use the winning videos as part of a national outreach campaign to help improve the financial literacy of college students.

The contest is not limited to film students or even college students. All U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old are encouraged to submit a video. "Everyone has a 30-second cinematic masterpiece in them," said Alderman. "We are hoping to draw that innate talent out and focus it on raising awareness for a little-known but crucial part of every person's financial resume."