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The rising cost of higher education is a universal challenge, but smart students know that seeking “free money” through scholarships is always the best first step. When building your list of opportunities, don’t overlook a powerful—and often local—resource: scholarships offered by banks and financial institutions. Many dedicate significant funds to community support and financial literacy through robust scholarship programs.
We’ve researched the current landscape to update this essential guide, featuring seven top national and regional financial institution scholarships that can help you pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. Remember to also check with your local community banks and credit unions for regional opportunities!
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Top Scholarships Offered By Banks and Financial Institutions
PNC Bank – PNC Student Solution Scholarship Sweepstakes
PNC Bank now offers the PNC Student Solution Scholarship Sweepstakes. To enter, students must create or log into a financial literacy account and opt into the drawing.
- Awards: Six winners are awarded a $10,000 scholarship twice each calendar year (12 awards annually).
- Details: Free to enter; eligibility is renewed every 12 months with account login.
U.S. Bank – Student Scholarship Sweepstakes
The U.S. Bank Student Scholarship Sweepstakes promotes financial wellness via the Zogo app.
- The Program: Students enter the scholarship sweepstakes by completing financial education modules on the Zogo app.
- Awards: Prizes range from $2,500 up to $20,000 and are based on the number of Zogo modules completed.
- Details: Open to high school seniors and undergraduate students who are legal U.S. residents and at least 17 years old.
Discover – Discover® Scholarship Award Sweepstakes
The Discover Scholarship Award Sweepstakes is easy to enter and requires no essay.
- Awards: Discover selects one winner every month to receive a $5,000 scholarship award (12 awards annually).
- Eligibility: Open to students (high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate) and parents who are 18 years or older.
Sallie Mae
$1000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
The $1000 No Essay Scholarship by Sallie is an easy-apply scholarship available through the ScholarshipOwl platform.
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- Awards: Sallie Mae selects one winner each month who will receive a $1000 scholarship award (12 awards annually).
- Eligibility: Open to students (high school juniors and seniors; undergraduate and graduate) who live in the United States and who are ages 16 years or older.
Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program
The Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program is offered in partnership with organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
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- The Program: The program awards scholarships to students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and financial need.
- Awards: Recent programs have awarded up to $10,000 scholarships for high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students.
- Details: Applicants must often demonstrate financial need and submit a video or essay submission.
Firstrust Bank – Samuel A. Green Scholarship Program
The Firstrust Bank Samuel A. Green Scholarship Program is a long-running scholarship that is still active, emphasizing community commitment.
- The Program: Honors graduating high school seniors who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to making a substantial impact in their community.
- Awards: Scholars receive $20,000 in multiyear support towards college.
- Details: This scholarship is geographically restricted to high school seniors or rising college students who are less than 30 years of age and who live or attend school in the Greater Philadelphia or Lehigh Valley areas in Pennsylvania.
BM Technologies, Inc. (formerly BankMobile) – Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship
The BM Technologies, Inc. Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship offers an annual scholarship for students who understand the importance of financial empowerment.
- The Program: Renamed the Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship, the award seeks an undergraduate or graduate student who promotes financial empowerment.
- Awards: One winning student receives a $1,500 scholarship.
- Details: Must be an undergraduate or graduate student with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a 30-60 second creative video explaining the importance of financial empowerment.
Umpqua Bank – Kenneth R. Gifford Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
The Umpqua Bank Kenneth R. Gifford Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program is a regional scholarship, previously associated with Redding Bank of Commerce and now administered by Umpqua Bank.
- The Program: Supports graduating high school students planning to attend college.
- Awards: Scholars receive awards of up to $1,000 per recipient.
- Details: This scholarship is geographically restricted to high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are attending school in specific Northern California counties (including Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Shasta, Siskiyou, or Tehama).
Your Next Financial Move: Leverage Bank Scholarships
Scholarships offered by banks and financial institutions are a powerful, often overlooked piece of the college funding puzzle. By taking the time to apply to these sweepstakes and merit-based awards, you are directly leveraging corporate and community commitment to education to lower your dependence on student loans. Because these programs often have unique and sometimes localized criteria, you might face less competition than you would for massive national awards. Use this updated list as your guide, and remember that every scholarship dollar you secure is a debt-free investment in your future.
