Irving Innovation Award Spotlight: Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant

This fall, Scholarship America will once again be presenting the Irving Innovation Awards, honoring organizations that have reimagined what it means to support students, providing financial assistance and creating holistic opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The scholarship sponsors receiving 2026 Irving Innovation Awards stand out for their unique approaches to student support and their deep focus on those facing financial need as they pursue their educational goals, no matter what their pathway. As we lead up to the Irving Innovation Awards on September 23, we’re proud to spotlight the award winners here.

Today we’re spotlighting the Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant Program. Recognizing that unexpected housing, medical, childcare and transportation expenses can force students to drop out before completing their program, this program provides fast, flexible assistance to student veterans (and the spouses or widows/widowers of disabled veterans) so they don’t have to choose between paying the bills and staying in school.

We spoke with Gigi Dixon, Executive Vice President and Head of External Engagement at Wells Fargo, to learn more.

How do you work with the Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant Program?

I lead a team responsible for stakeholder relationships, sponsorship activation, and advocacy and influencer strategies on behalf of Wells Fargo. One of our programs – the National Scholarship Portfolio, supports organizations and programs that expand access to education and economic mobility. The Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant Program is one example of an investment that helps Veterans overcome unexpected financial challenges that could interrupt their education and future career aspirations.

Why does Wells Fargo feel it’s so important to invest in scholarships? 

Education has the power to change lives, create opportunity, and strengthen communities. At Wells Fargo, we believe that talented and motivated individuals should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals, regardless of financial circumstances. Scholarships and educational support programs help remove barriers, open doors, and empower students to build brighter futures for themselves and their families. That is especially meaningful for Veterans, who have already demonstrated extraordinary commitment and service to our country.

How does the Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant Program fit in with your broader CSR initiatives? 

Our community impact strategy focuses on helping people build financial resilience and creating pathways to economic opportunity. The Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant Program reflects those priorities by providing support when Veterans face unexpected financial hardships that could jeopardize their ability to stay enrolled in school. By helping student Veterans continue their education, we are investing not only in their success, but also in the long-term strength of the communities in which they live and work.

What led you to partner with Scholarship America for the administration of the scholarship? 

Scholarship America is one of the nation’s most respected scholarship and educational support organizations, with deep expertise in administering scholarship and emergency-grant programs. We value their commitment to students and their ability to efficiently connect resources with those who need them most. Our partnership allows Wells Fargo to focus on the impact we want to make while relying on a trusted organization to help ensure these programs are administered effectively and reach eligible Veterans across the country.

After years of supporting Veteran students through emergency grants, what impact has been the most meaningful or surprising to you?

What has been most meaningful is seeing how a relatively modest grant can make a significant difference at a critical moment. Unexpected expenses such as housing costs, utilities, childcare, transportation, or medical bills can quickly become obstacles that threaten a student’s educational journey. Knowing that emergency support can help a Veteran stay enrolled, continue making progress toward a degree, and keep moving toward their long-term goals reinforces the importance of this program and the impact it can have on individual lives and families.

How do you see your program evolving and developing in the coming years? 

We remain committed to supporting Veterans as they pursue higher education and career opportunities. As the needs of Veterans continue to evolve, we will look for ways to ensure our programs remain responsive and impactful. Our goal is to continue helping Veterans overcome barriers to educational success while working with partners like Scholarship America to expand awareness of available resources and connect more Veterans and their families with opportunities that support their long-term success.

What advice would you give to potential applicants to the Wells Fargo Veteran Emergency Grant? 

My advice is simple: don’t let a temporary setback cause you to give up on a long-term goal. Pursuing an education while balancing work, family responsibilities, and the transition from military service can be challenging, and unexpected expenses can happen to anyone. If you need help, don’t hesitate to apply and take advantage of the resources available to you. We created this program because we believe Veterans have already demonstrated incredible resilience and commitment, and we want to help ensure that an unforeseen financial hardship doesn’t stand in the way of achieving their educational and career aspirations.

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Our thanks to Gigi for her time, and congratulations to Wells Fargo and their fellow 2026 award winners! To learn more about the Irving Innovation Awards and find out how you can be a part of the celebration, visit the event website here.