Earn to Learn

Earn to Learn

Earn to Learn is a need-based scholarship program that teaches financial literacy, and rewards students and families who are committed to saving money to attend the University of Arizona with $4,000 of matching scholarship funding.

The information below is for the current, Fall 2024/Spring 2025 academic year.

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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • 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.
  • 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 or Youth on Their Own (YOTO) Program
    • 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.
  • Students must apply for entrance and be accepted into the University of Arizona prior to being offered the scholarship.
  • Completing a FAFSA 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 by the May 1st priority deadline. 
    • How to Correct/Update your FAFSA
    • Complete Financial Aid Authorization (listed under the To-Do List section in your UAccess Student Center)
  • First-year students enrolled with the Fostering Success Program or Youth on Their Own (YOTO) Program are also encouraged to apply for the Earn to Learn program.

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.