SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Reach your goals with support from Desert Financial Foundation.

Desert Financial Foundation is committed to strengthening our community by providing educational support and opportunities.

We proudly offer scholarships for high school seniors who give back to our community; adults (25 and older) who are pursuing certificates or degrees; and student athletes who have overcome obstacles.

Click the tabs below to learn about Desert Financial Foundation scholarship options.

High School Students
Adult Learners
High School Student Athletes

RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO HELP OTHERS

High school seniors who volunteer can apply for a Community Service Scholarship.

Our Desert Financial Community Service Scholarship program recognizes and rewards exceptional students who have contributed 50 or more hours of service in our community. Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 to $10,000 and are available to students planning to attend an Arizona college or university.

The application period for 2023 Community Service Scholarships is January 9 — March 1, 2023.

Application Requirements:

Completed 50+ hours of community service between January 2022 — December 2022.
Have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA.
Plan to attend an in-state college or university in the fall.
Be a Desert Financial member (or related to a member).
Show a demonstrated financial need based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Please review these important application guidelines.

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 *

Date of Birth*Enter date in MM/DD/YYYY format

Phone*

Address*

City*

State or Province*

Zip or Postal Code*

Gender¹

Race¹

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

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

Are you a current member or a relative of a 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*
Value must be rounded two decimal places (ex: 3.75)

Are you graduating this academic year?*

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

College Name*

College State*

Add College

College 2 (optional)

College Name

College State

Add College

College 3 (optional)

College Name

College State

Financial need - family information

How many siblings in household including you?*

I live with my parent(s)*

Yes

How many total individuals in household including you?*

Combined household annual income*

Additional Financial Assistance

Have you applied or intend to apply for any additional scholarships?*

Yes

Scholarship Name*

Scholarship Award Amount*

Have you applied for this award?*

Scholarship 2 (optional)

Scholarship Name

Scholarship Award Amount

Have you applied for this award?

Scholarship 3 (optional)

Scholarship Name

Scholarship Award Amount

Have you applied for this award?

What community service work have you done?

Organization Name*

Activities Performed*

Total Hours Performed*
Combined volunteer hours must be equal to or greater than 50 hours across all organizations.

State*

Type of Population Served*

Supervisor Name* Please include only one supervisor

Supervisor Phone*

Supervisor Email* Please include only one supervisor

Add Activity

Activity 2 (optional)

Organization Name

Activities Performed

Total Hours Performed
Combined volunteer hours must be equal to or greater than 50 hours across all organizations.

State

Type of Population Served

Supervisor Name

Supervisor Phone

Supervisor Email

Add Activity

Activity 3 (optional)

Organization Name

Activities Performed

Total Hours Performed
Combined volunteer hours must be equal to or greater than 50 hours across all organizations.

State

Type of Population Served

Supervisor Name

Supervisor Phone

Supervisor Email

Disclosure*

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.

¹Disclosure of applicant's race and gender is optional.

For any questions on the application, please reach out to Foundation@desertfinancial.com.

Our scholarship programs are provided by Desert Financial Foundation. If you would like to learn more about how we’re supporting education in Arizona, check out our commitment to education page.

TAKE YOUR EDUCATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Apply for our college scholarship for members ages 25 and older.

In 1939, fifteen courageous educators pooled together all of their money — just $78.75 — to found a credit union for teachers. In honor of their legacy, we offer the Desert Financial Adult Learners Scholarship to help adults reach their higher education goals.

In 2023, 35 applicants will be selected to receive $2,000 each in scholarship funds distributed directly to the Arizona-based college, university or professional certification program of their choice.

The application period for the 2023 Adult Learners Scholarship is February 1 – April 3, 2023.

Application Requirements:

Be age 25 or older.
Be a Desert Financial member in good standing.
Be enrolled in (or have plans to attend) an accredited college, university or certification program in Arizona.
Write a short essay.

Ready to get started?

Complete and submit the form below to apply for the Desert Financial Adult Learners Scholarship.

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Phone *

Address 1 *

City *

State or Province *

Zip or Postal Code *

Race¹

Gender¹

Name of Arizona-based college/accredited institution you are planning to attend *

Max 50 Characters

Physical address of Arizona-based college/accredited institution*

When does the program start? (i.e. Spring 2023)*

Max. 50 Characters

When do you expect the program to end? (i.e. Fall 2024)*

Max. 50 Characters

What are your educational plans? (Intended major, minor, certifications, etc.)*

Max. 500 Characters

Tell us about your career goals.*

Max. 2000 Characters

How is your intended career or program helping others?*

Max. 1000 Characters

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

What is your household’s annual income?*

What is the yearly cost of the program you are seeking or are currently enrolled in? *

This could include tuition, program fees, and other related costs (such as books).

Tell us how the Desert Financial Adult Learners Scholarship would help you and/or your family become more financially capable.*

Max. 1000 Characters

Do you have an additional financial or professional need for this scholarship?*

Examples include being a single parent, caring for others outside of your household, career advancement, or being laid off. (Max. 1000 characters)

Are you a Desert Financial Member over the age of 25 and in good standing with the credit union? *

Yes

Member Account # *

Max. 10 Characters

Scholarship Agreement Guidelines

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

¹Disclosure of applicant's race and gender is optional.

RECOGNIZING STUDENT ATHLETES MAKING AN IMPACT

Apply for the 2022 Arizona Breaking Barriers Student Athlete Scholarship, presented by Desert Financial Foundation and the Arizona Cardinals.

Krysten Muir broke barriers in 2015–2016 as a kicker for the Marcos de Niza High School football team in Tempe. She leaves a legacy as the first female to score a point in an AIA state championship game and to set the state record for points scored by a female in the season.

In January 2021, Krysten was in a car accident, causing partial paralysis. Desert Financial stepped in to support her and her family with a Random Act of Kindness. The Arizona Cardinals also wanted to help recognize Krysten and her outstanding contributions to local sports. Together, Desert Financial Foundation and the Arizona Cardinals created the student athlete scholarship. Inspired by Krysten, the program will recognize determined, resilient and impactful student athletes.

Are you a student athlete who’s breaking barriers? Do you know someone who is? Submit your nomination for the Arizona Breaking Barriers Student Athlete Scholarship, presented by Desert Financial Foundation and the Arizona Cardinals!

Application Requirements

Graduating Arizona high school senior (spring of 2023)
Current athlete in an organized sporting team (e.g., high school, local public or private club, recreational league or other formal organizations)
Plans to attend an Arizona college or university
3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
Membership with Desert Financial Credit Union is not required
Demonstrated financial need

Awarding Scholarship Recipients

15 recipients will be selected and receive $3,000 each.
One scholar will be chosen by Krysten personally to be recognized as the Krysten Muir Scholar.
Recipients will be notified in mid-to-late November to early December 2022.

The application period for our Arizona Breaking Barriers Student Athlete Scholarship has ended. Check back for info on our 2023 scholarships later in the year.

Are you submitting a nomination on behalf of yourself or someone else? * Nominating myself Nominating a student athlete on their behalf

Student's First Name *

Student's Last Name *

Student's Email Address *

Student's Telephone Number *

Nominator First Name *

Nominator Last Name *

Nominator Email Address *

Nominator Phone Number *

Nominee Gender¹

Nominee Race¹

Student's Current High School Name: *

Student's Graduation Date: *

Please input as Month Year (I.e.: May 2023)

Cumulative GPA of student athlete: *

Intended college (in Arizona) of student athlete: *

(max 50 Characters)

What sport(s) does the student athlete participate in?

Sport 1 *

Sport 2

Sport 3

Does the student athlete intend to play a sport in college? *

If Yes, please describe their intended participation.

(max 500 Characters)

What organization or affiliation does the student athlete play with?

Name of Organization 1 *

Name of Organization 2

Name of Organization 3

Desert Financial and the Cardinals value a Team Mindset and Passion to Help.

What makes this student athlete uniquely qualified? *

(max 1000 Characters)

How is the student athlete breaking barriers on or off the field or court? *

(max 1000 Characters)

What values does the student athlete exemplify? Please describe in detail. *

(max 1000 Characters)

How has the student athlete demonstrated determination or resiliency in the face of these barriers? *

(max 1000 Characters)

How has this student athlete displayed good character or citizenship in serving the community? *

(max 1000 Characters)

How will this scholarship advance the student athlete's educational goals? *

(max 1000 Characters)

¹Disclosure of applicant's race and gender is optional.