Earn to Learn

This award is only available to students who have applied to and received acceptance from the Earn to Learn program.  Students who make deposits for at least 6 months and meet their $500 savings goal prior to attending the University of Arizona will earn $4,000 in matching funds to pay for tuition, books, and other university-related expenses. This matched-savings scholarship is renewable for up to three years (dependent upon ongoing funding) as long as students remain eligible. Eligibility includes, but is not limited to; continuous enrollment at one of the three in-state universities, continued financial literacy, and, continued savings of $500 each year.

Additionally, the program utilizes one-on-one coaching for students which includes personal finance training, college readiness training, and ongoing support from the very first day of attending Arizona all the way through graduation. The use of IDAs (Individual Development Accounts) in conjunction with one-on-one coaching has been proven to help individuals and families develop productive financial behaviors that increase the likelihood of program participants to finish college with a degree and less debt.

Eligibility Requirements

This renewable scholarship opportunity is available for community college transfers students and specific first-year students meeting all the combined Earn to Learn program requirements and the additional, University of Arizona requirements listed below:

The University of Arizona will consider students who:

• Have been accepted into the Earn to Learn Program
• Are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, as determined by the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
  • Student must submit the FAFSA Submission Summary to Earn to Learn
  • List Arizona on your FAFSA (code 001083)
• Are considered an Arizona resident for tuition purposes, as defined by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) policy
• Attend an in-person University of Arizona campus, 
  • This scholarship is not available for use in Arizona Online programs.
  • Attend only the University of Arizona, no concurrent enrollment or Consortium Agreements permitted.
• Are admitted as an Undergraduate, degree-seeking Transfer student from an Arizona two-year community college or are a first-year undergraduate degree-seeking student enrolled in the Fostering Success, Youth on Their Own (YOTO) Program, or Unaccompanied or Homeless Youth. 
  • Transfer students are required to complete at least 36 transferable credit hours 
• Are enrolled as a full-time student (at least 12 units)

Additional Information

• The $4,500 may be applied toward University of Arizona tuition and other approved university expenses only.
  • If remaining charges are less than the amount of this scholarship ($2,000 per Fall/Spring semester), after all other gift aid (grants and scholarships) is applied and Cost of Attendance is appealed (if applicable), then the Earn to Learn scholarship will be canceled.
• Students must apply for entrance and be accepted into the University of Arizona prior to being offered the scholarship.
  • Entrance Requirements and Guidelines
  • To Submit an Application
• Completing a FAFSA form is required for this program. Students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid for the semester in which they plan to attend Arizona.
  • Complete the FAFSA form by the April 1st priority deadline. 
  • How to Correct/Update your FAFSA
  • Complete Financial Aid Authorization and FAFSA Info Release (listed under the To-Do List section in your UAccess Student Center)
  • Complete all UAccess To-Do List and Notices & Holds, including verification and appeals, which require student action.
• First-year students enrolled with the Fostering Success Program, Youth on Their Own (YOTO) Program, and Unaccompanied or Homeless Youth are also encouraged to apply for the Earn to Learn program.
• For students who are in their final semester before graduation and do not need to be enrolled full-time (due to completion of their academic plan), OSFA will work with the Office of the Registrar to verify a graduation date on file and then allow this merit scholarship to be disbursed. To receive the final disbursement of your grant, make sure you’ve applied to graduate. Your grad date will need to be updated in UAccess before your grant can be disbursed.
  • Keep in mind that because tuition costs are lower for less than 12 units, your Earn to Learn grant may be reduced or cancelled accordingly.
  • Students who graduate in December are not eligible to receive the full academic year amount for one semester.

Participants must also meet the Earn to Learn program's minimum eligibility and program requirements.

• Meet Earn to Learn application and financial literacy deadlines
• Use matched-savings accounts
• Make deposits for six months
• Meet savings goal of $500 before attending one of the three in-state universities

To learn more about these requirements, visit EarntoLearn.org.