In order to be considered for a scholarship, individuals must meet the following qualifications:

Be a high school senior accepted, or seeking acceptance, to an accredited four-year college or a university;

Be pursuing, or planning to pursue, a degree in a quantitative field such as those in Computer/Data Science, Statistics, Business Analytics, Mathematics or Engineering (note other hard sciences fields such as biology, chemistry, geology, etc. are not eligible);

Be part of an underrepresented demographic in the financial services sector (Women, BIPOC);

Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA);

Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent);

Demonstrate financial need by having a FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) value of $10,000 or less; and

Show promise or potential in becoming a member of the broader finance community.

Also, you must be willing to take part in an online interview with one or more individuals from the DGV Charitable Organization.

If selected, students will receive an award of $5,000. Awards are renewable for up to three additional years. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in a full-time course of study.

To apply, students must submit:

Transcripts from relevant academic institutions (i.e. all high schools the applicant has attended or currently attends);

Up to two letters of recommendation from an academic and/or community leader;

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Summary; and

3 short essays (see more detail below)

Personal Essay Requirements

In 300 words or less, please tell us about yourself. We’d love to learn a bit more about who you are, what factors and influences helped shape you, and what‘s motivating you as you move into the next phase of your education/life. We’re particularly interested in details that don’t appear on a transcript or financial aid application (e.g., significant life experiences, relevant interests, and passions). The specific form and content are up to you.

Financial Need Essay

In 150 words or less, please touch on your financial need and, if applicable, any financial hardship you and/or your family face.

Academic Interests Essay

In 150 words or less, please tell us about why you have chosen your prospective field of study and any career path(s) you plan to pursue or are considering. If you have not yet developed any ideas for a specific career path, share what you love about your field of study and the skills you are most excited to develop. In both cases, please highlight any experiences or inspirations that have influenced your thinking.

Dates for 2026

January 1 – Scholarship is open for application submittal

February 13 – Application deadline

February 23 to March 5 – Interview period

March 11 – Recipients announced

If considered for a scholarship after reviewing your application, you will be contacted by phone or email to schedule a live video interview.

The scholarship winner will be notified by phone or email on or before March 11th.