Want a scholarship? PNG offers one.

How badly do you want it is a question often asked of star atheletes in famous competitions like the Super Bowl.

The same question can be asked of aspiring young coin collectors.

Those who do want it are being offered an opportunity to get a boost from the Professional Numismatists Guild.

For the 13th year in a row, the dealer organization will give a scholarship to a young numismatist to attend the American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“All young numismatists between the ages of 13 and 22 are eligible to enter and are cordially invited to apply,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG executive director.

This is not a small potatoes offer.

“The PNG scholarship will cover airfare, tuition for one of the two week-long Summer Seminar sessions, meals and five nights of dormitory accommodations on the campus of Colorado College, site of the ANA headquarters,” Brueggeman said.

How I wish I would have had such an opportunity to acquire important numismatic skills that can make anyone a better collector, or even a professional numismatist.

The opportunity to meet some of the most active individuals in the field is also invaluable.

“Entrants must submit a short essay outlining why they should be chosen as the 2017 scholarship recipient. The deadline for receipt of the entries is Thursday, April 13, 2017,” Brueggeman said.

He said the “essays can be sent by email to info@PNGdealers.org, or by mail to the PNG Executive Director, 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590.

Dates of the Summer Seminar are June 17 to June 22, or June 24 to June 29.

Check the ANA website for more information. ANA offers scholarships as well.

“The money to pay for the annual PNG YN Scholarship is administered from PNG’s Gerald Bauman Memorial Fund. Bauman, who died in 2001, served for many years as a prominent coin dealer with Manfra, Tordella & Brookes in New York City,” said PNG President Dana Samuelson.

The PNG also has a website. Take a look.

If there is a young collector in your family or coin club, make sure he or she is aware of this opportunity.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper has twice won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog and is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."

• Like this blog? Read more by subscribing to Numismatic News.