Featured Partner Scholarships: March 2024 (Part 2)

Scholarship season is as busy as it gets—and even if you’re still waiting on FAFSA information, you can apply right now for all of the open programs on Scholarship America’s Browse Scholarships page! There are lots of great options; today we’re featuring a program to help students from low-income communities pursue financial services careers, and a nationwide scholarship for veterans from Wells Fargo.

CME Group Foundation Scholarship

CME Group Foundation strives to empower future generations through education—equipping today’s students to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Their specific focus is on preparing students from low-income and historically underserved communities for careers in financial services, and they work with a prestigious group of partner schools that provide evidence-based support programs for this group of students majoring in fields related to the financial services and technology industries.

Each year, a new cohort of 15 CME Group Foundation Scholars are able to pursue their college dreams thanks to support from this program. Aiko Castrejon, a member of the Class of 2023 at the University of Illinois-Chicago and a CME Group Foundation Scholar, said of her award: “The CME Group Foundation Scholarship means I can relieve the financial burden and stress of my education on my family as I become a first-generation college graduate. I am also beyond grateful for the networking opportunities and other resources.”

Eligible students can now apply for renewable scholarships of up to $20,000 to be used toward a degree in finance, computer science, math, cybersecurity, data science, financial engineering, accounting, information technology or statistics at one of eleven CME Group Foundation partner schools (located in Illinois and New Jersey).

CME Group Foundation Scholars must come from a low-income and historically underserved community, and must be current or rising sophomores, juniors or seniors who plan to enroll full-time at one of the specified partner schools for the entire upcoming academic year. Students enrolled in a 4+1 MS program are eligible. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).

In addition to receiving a scholarship, CME Group Foundation Scholars will earn an expenses-paid trip to attend a one-day market education program at CME Group in Chicago in August 2024.

Applications are open until April 4. Apply now >

Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship and Emergency Grant Programs

While military service comes with education benefits, many veterans returning to school still face gaps in funding – especially when it comes to unexpected costs and living expenses. The Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship and Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant programs are designed to help veterans complete the postsecondary education or training they need to return to — and succeed in — civilian life and work.

The Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship provides scholarships up to $5,000 per year, helping veterans and the spouses and widows of service-disabled veterans cover costs that remain after they’ve used their military benefits and other grants. Scholarships are renewable each year, to help recipients focus on completing their degrees rather than worrying about paying for future costs.

Thanks to the Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship, students like Carmelos Brown have been able to pursue their post-service career goals. Carmelos is a U.S. Army veteran and serves as the president of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter at Florida’s Santa Fe College.

“Receiving a scholarship has been a game-changer for me,” he said. “I can’t express enough gratitude for the support that’s eased the financial burden. It’s not just about the funds; it’s about the doors of opportunity that have opened up. “Of course, the college journey isn’t always smooth, and that’s why the Emergency Grant component of the program is there to help when financial setbacks strike. Veterans enrolled in higher education can apply for emergency grants when faced with unexpected bills or costs. Ranging up to $1,000, these immediate, one-time grants are designed to keep recipients in school and on track without creating undue financial hardship.

If you or a family member are a veteran, you may be able to benefit. If not, please take a moment to share the link with veterans and military families you know. The more we can spread the word, the more veterans we can help get through college!

Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarships are open through April 10. Emergency grant applications are open via the same link as long as funds are available. Apply Now >

Scholarship America Dream Award

The Scholarship America Dream Award is designed to help you keep moving toward a degree, by providing a scholarship that sticks with you for up to four total years. College undergraduates can earn renewable awards of up to $10,000 per year.

We believe in tearing down the barriers to a college degree — and that’s why the Dream Award is a scholarship open to all. Your ethnicity, family history, school access, gender, sexual orientation or immigration status should not be an impediment to attending college and pursuing your dreams.

If you’re at least 17, a current college undergraduate* in the U.S. with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), and plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study next year, you’re invited to apply.

The Dream Award is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents (holders of a Permanent Resident card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).

Our Dream Award Scholars have overcome incredible challenges ranging from family tragedies to physical struggles to systematic inequities. We are proud to support their educational dreams — and if you’re struggling to pay for college, we encourage you to learn more about eligibility details and apply.

(*High school seniors or graduates from Bayfield, Wisconsin and Cleveland, Minnesota are eligible to apply for the Jon G. Carlstrom Dream Award scholarship, using the standard application.)