Community Service Scholarship

Recognizing high school seniors who volunteer to help others.

The Community Service Scholarship application period is now open from January 6 to February 20.

Rewarding students who have a passion to help

Desert Financial Foundation’s Community Service Scholarship program honors exceptional students who have volunteered 50 or more hours of community service.

In 2026, thirty applicants will be selected to receive $3,000 each in scholarship funds, to be distributed directly to the Arizona-based college or university of their choice.

Requirements

Graduating high school senior (spring of 2026)
3.00 or higher cumulative weighted GPA
Plan to attend an Arizona college or university.
Be a current member or a relative of a member in good standing.¹
Show a demonstrated financial need based on Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Complete 50 or more hours of verifiable community service between January 1 and December 31 of 2025 at an eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Before applying, please review these important guidelines.

Scholarship application process

Before you begin the application, gather a copy of your current unofficial transcript, Desert Financial member name and account number and a copy of your Student Aid Index score as provided from your FAFSA form.

Fill out the application. Make sure you’re able to complete the application in one sitting. Information on partially completed applications won’t be saved.

Your application will be reviewed and verified by Desert Financial Foundation’s Scholarship Committee.

If your application is accepted for a scholarship award, you will be notified via email no later than April 17.

Ready to get started?

Complete and submit the form below to apply for the Desert Financial Community Service Scholarship.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone*

City*

Zip or Postal Code*

Gender*

Gender Self-Described

Race*

Race Self-Described

Pronouns

Pronouns Self-Described

Are you the first in your family to attend college?*

How are you affiliated with Desert Financial?

Are you a current member or a relative of a member?*

Neither

Member

Relative of a Member

Past Member

Account Holder First Name*

Account Holder Last Name*

Membership Account Number*

Where are you attending high school?

High School Name*

High School State*

Cumulative weighted GPA*

Are you graduating this academic year? (Spring 2026)*

Which college(s) do you potentially plan to attend?

College Name*

Add College

College 2 (optional)

2nd College Name

Add College

College 3 (optional)

3rd Collage Name

Financial need - family information

How many people live in your household, including you?*

Combined household annual income*

What community service work have you done?

Organization Name*

Activities Performed*

Total Hours Performed*

Type of Population Served*

Supervisor Name*

Supervisor Phone*

Supervisor Email*

Add Activity

Activity 2 (optional)

Organization Name

Activities Performed

Total Hours Performed

Type of Population Served

Supervisor Name

Supervisor Phone

Supervisor Email

Add Activity

Activity 3 (optional)

Organization Name

Activities Performed

Total Hours Performed

Type of Population Served

Supervisor Name

Supervisor Phone

Supervisor Email

Essay Questions:

Please respond to the following essay questions. The essay questions provide an opportunity for you to elaborate on your current and past community service, and to reflect on how that service has enriched your life and influenced your future career goals.

Educational Plans & Career Goals:

How will this scholarship advance your educational and career goals? What is your intended path of study and/or major?*

Community Service & You:

What inspires you to be involved in community service? How has performing community service activities enriched your life and influenced your future career goals?*

How did you hear about the Desert Financial Community Service Scholarship?*

SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT GUIDELINES*

By clicking ‘Submit’ below, you agree to the Scholarship Guidelines and acknowledge that the information and answers provided to the questions above are complete, true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.

What Community Service Scholars are saying

"Desert Financial's support has lifted a meaningful financial burden from me and my family this year, allowing me to focus fully on my education and next steps. Thank you, again, for the scholarship and for investing in students like me. I truly appreciate everything."

Ariana A.

"I’ve been a Girl Scout for many years and helped at homeless shelters and the Boys & Girls Clubs. Community Service has helped to humble me and shape me into who I am today. The scholarship from Desert Financial will help take some of the weight off my parents’ shoulders."

Amaya J.

Disclosures

¹To be in good standing, a member must hold a share (savings) account with a minimum balance of $25 and no other delinquent products.

Desert Financial Foundation is a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN: 81-1028132.