Texas high school seniors can earn cash for college by composing a 350- word essay suggesting additional measures to be used in the state’s fight against litter.

Dow Chemical Company is partnering with Keep Texas Beautiful to sponsor the 2010 Don’t Mess with Texas Scholarship Program. High school seniors are encouraged to submit essays explaining how they tackled a litter-related problem in their own school or community. The grand-prize winner will receive $3,000 for college tuition, while two secondplace winners will receive $1,000 each.

Texas Department of Transportation spends millions of dollars each year to pick up litter along Texas highways, and research shows most likely to litter are young Texans.

Eligible high school seniors must plan to pursue a two- or four-year degree at a Texas university or college. Essays must be 350 words or less and will be accepted starting March 8. Apply online, download an application, and view complete rules at DontMessWithTexas.org.

Completed applications and essays must be submitted online or postmarked by April 16, 2010.