(Salt Lake City, UT) - If being thrifty gives you a thrill, Zions Bank wants you to compete for a spot in the second installment of its Cheapster reality show series, where college and university students will battle for a $10,000 grand prize and — new this year — an additional $10,000 for their school.

Cheapster features students from Idaho and Utah who go to extremes to show they can live a frugal lifestyle. How extreme? Just ask reigning Cheapster queen Lori Thompson of Duchesne, a Utah State University student who defeated her competitors in cooking on the cheap, dumpster diving, and turning thrift store clothing into high fashion.

Cheapster is accepting video applications from Idaho and Utah students ages 18 to 26 through Sept. 14. To apply or watch webisodes from last season, visit http://www.CheapsterTV.com.

Contestants must show off their creativity and frugality as they are filmed competing in extreme budgeting challenges. The lowest-scoring participant will be eliminated at the end of each round in order to crown the ultimate Cheapster, and challenges will air online in October and November.

“Financial education doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, we’re making it entertaining,” said Rob Brough, executive vice president of Zions Bank’s Corporate Marketing and Communications. “Our goal with Cheapster is to capture the challenges and benefits of sticking to a budget, while adding the excitement of a reality show competition. Zions Bank is dedicated to helping our clients understand that thoughtful money management contributes to a lifetime of financial success.”

Zions Bank research conducted in 2011 found Millennials ages 13 to 28 years old were less aware of effective money management techniques than other age groups, and some rely on extreme budgeting behaviors. Zions Bank developed Cheapster to share money-management tips and educate this generation as they financially prepare for the future. Cheapster also educates Millennials firsthand about how certain Zions Bank products, including checking accounts and bank cards, are used.

The pool of Cheapster contestants will be narrowed by casting calls to be held in late September at university and college locations in Idaho and Utah. The final 13 contestants will be chosen by an online public vote and a Zions Bank panel of judges.

Find the official contest rules, casting call scheduling, and additional information at www.CheapsterTV.com. Follow Cheapster on social media at www.facebook.com/CheapsterTV and @CheapsterTV.

Zions Bank operates 26 full-service branches in Idaho and 106 branches throughout Utah. In addition to offering a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions Bank is also a leader in small business lending and has ranked as the No. 1 lender of U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans in Idaho’s Boise District for the past 10 consecutive years. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank has been serving the communities of the Intermountain West for more than 135 years. Additional information is available at www.zionsbank.com