Community Service Scholarship

Recognizing high school seniors who volunteer to help others.

The Community Service Scholarship application period is now open from January 3 to March 3.

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 2025, 30 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

Complete 50+ hours of community service between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Plan to attend an in-state college or university.
Be a Desert Financial member (or related to a member).
Show a demonstrated financial need based on Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Before applying, please review these important guidelines.

Scholarship application process

Before you begin the application, gather a copy of your transcripts, a previous monthly statement for proof of membership and a copy of 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 7.

Fill out the form below to apply!

Please make sure all sections of the application are filled out by the student applying for the 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?*

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 siblings in 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?*

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.

Real voices, real impact

"It’s important for me to give back to my community because they have given so much to me. I grew up attending afterschool programs and summer camps, and they honestly took part in raising me. I feel like it did take a village, and it’s only right that I give back. It is a full-circle moment."

Gianna G.

"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

Desert Financial Foundation is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN# 81-1028132.