What is the Earn to Learn Scholarship?
The Earn to Learn scholarship, at a high level, is a matched-savings scholarship. We see it as a tool that helps empower eligible students to successfully complete a postsecondary education. Postsecondary education? This includes your traditional 4 year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and short-term credential programs. The organization and scholarship was established in 2013 and is the largest and most successful matched-savings scholarship program in the country. It combines student savings with scholarships, financial training, and education success coaching to help eligible students obtain an education and graduate workforce-ready with little to no student loan debt. Basically, our founder saw an issue with the lack of availability of educational opportunities, the ever-growing student loan debt crisis, and decided to do something about it.
How does it work?
Eligible students and their families deposit $500 into a savings account each year, then receive an 8:1 match through combined university support and other public and philanthropic funding. This creates $4,500 per academic year in total available funds for tuition, fees, room and board, and other costs to support educational success.
Here’s what the typical journey might look like:
Interested?
Join our 2,500+ talented, responsible and determined students who are working hard towards furthering their education with little to no student loan debt.
Need a little more information?
We’ve got your back! At Earn to Learn, our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need guidance, have questions, or just want to chat with someone who genuinely cares, we’re just a click away. Simply click here to connect with us directly. Prefer to explore on your own? No problem! Keep scrolling to find all the details you need right here on this page.
What Makes Us Different?
We enlist students as investors in their own education, so they’ll have a stake in their success. We empower them with financial training to ensure they can navigate their personal financial responsibility and improve their economic mobility. And we support them with postsecondary education success coaching, business mentorship and workforce development. These Earn to Learn “pillars” comprise a groundbreaking, holistic approach to financial preparation for higher education with remarkable results.
Is the Earn to Learn scholarship for you?
We get it, this sounds great, but you want to know if this even applies to you and you’re specific scenario. While we can’t cover every possible scenario, we can certainly help narrow things down.
Facts about the Scholarship:
- 63% are first-generation university students
- 72% are STEM scholars
- 90% of students continue their education after their first year
- 80% of students graduate within 6 years
- Over 43,000 hours of continuing financial literacy education provided
- Over $28 Million in funds disbursed to students
- Over 7,500 scholarships awarded
- Ages span from 18 to 73
- We have educational partners that are trade schools, community colleges, and universities.
Applying to a Postsecondary School?
What do we mean by postsecondary? This could be a traditional 4 year university, a community college, a trade school, or short-term credential program. There may also be other opportunities, so make sure to reach out and ask questions about your specific scenario, we’re happy to help.
Eligibility:
This will depend partly on the institution to which you’re applying. Each school will have their own eligibility requirements and that is provided on our individual education partner links below:
Education Partners:
Intrigued but still not sure?
Sign up here (don’t worry we won’t spam you), we’ll add you to the early interest list. What does that mean? There’s no commitment, just a reminder for us to reach out via email to see if you have any questions and we’ll include you on the email announcement for when the scholarship application goes live.
What does the Earn To Learn process look like?
What sets us apart is that we don’t just award you a scholarship and send you on your way, we’re invested in your success. That’s why we provide success coaching, financial training, and other support as part of our program. Our goal is to promote educational obtainment and help turn your academic goals into reality.
Because of this commitment, our process looks a little different. Here’s what to expect when applying for the scholarship:
Step 1:
Portal Registration
To begin, create a portal by clicking the Apply Today button below. The registration form will help you determine your eligibility.
Step 2:
Online Application
After registering for a portal, you’ll be directed to the Application Dashboard, where you can complete the online forms and upload copies of your FAFSA Student Aid Report and identification to verify your eligibility.
Step 3:
Application Review
Submit your application as soon as possible for the best chance of securing your place in the program. A team member will review your application within 1–2 weeks. Eligible students will receive further instructions on the next steps.
Step 4:
Savings Agreement & Savings Plan
Review and sign the Savings Agreement, which outlines how the Earn to Learn scholarship works. You’ll also select a banking partner and choose a savings plan.
Step 5:
Open Your Matched Savings Account (MSA)
After signing and submitting your agreement, you’ll receive paperwork and instructions to open your Matched Savings Account with one of Earn to Learn’s partner financial institutions: Vantage West Credit Union, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Alliance of Arizona, or First Citizens Bank. To secure your scholarship, you must open your account and make your first deposit.
Step 6:
Personal Finance Training
Once your Matched Savings Account (MSA) is set up, you’ll be invited to complete an online personal finance training course (estimated 3–6 hours). You must pass with a minimum score of 80%, but don’t worry, you can retake the post-tests if needed.
Step 7:
Welcome to the Earn to Learn Community
Start working toward your annual savings goal of $500, participate in at least two online webinars, and take advantage of mentorship opportunities. Get excited to receive your Earn to Learn scholarship again next year!
From application to graduation, we’ll be here every step of the way to support you!
Would it be alright if we reached out?
We’d love to answer any questions you may have about Earn to Learn that weren’t answered here, maybe about the scholarship, our process, our model, or something else?