Fidelity Scholars Program: FAQ

The Fidelity Scholars program is an individual scholarship designed to help students overcome barriers to success and graduate with little or no debt from a four-year college, two-year college or a certificate program. The Fidelity Scholars Program includes scholarships for students in underserved communities and a suite of ongoing support, including mentorship by Fidelity associates, internship, apprenticeship guidance and financial education programming.

The scholarship is part of the Fidelity initiative, Invest in My Education (ME)℠, an initiative that provides access and opportunities to education and ongoing support to students from underrepresented populations and historically underserved communities who have faced systemic barriers and challenges to economic mobility. The program will take a holistic approach to driving transformational change by combining student scholarships with ongoing support, including resources to complete degree programs and pathways to post-graduation employment.

To provide access to resources and networks that help students enter jobs or careers that facilitate continued economic mobility, the program seeks to position historically underserved communities for greater economic mobility and generational wealth, improving long-term outcomes for all. Specifically, the program seeks to provide flexible scholarships, mentorship and support underserved students to complete their post-secondary programs with no education debt.

Fidelity’s most fundamental value is to empower individuals to strengthen and secure their financial future. Fidelity is committed to removing systemic barriers so that anyone, regardless of their background, can access higher education and economic mobility.

Eligible students include those from underrepresented populations and historically underserved communities who have faced systemic barriers and challenges to economic mobility.

We specifically encourage students from Black, Latino, Native American (with documented tribal affiliation) and underrepresented Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage to apply.

The Fidelity Scholars program is open to non-degree holding incoming freshmen, pursuing a bachelor’s degree for the first time.

Students must meet all the eligibility requirements listed below:

• Students must be between the ages of 16-24 and be enrolling as an incoming freshman at a not-for-profit, four-year accredited college or university for the first time.
• Students must enroll at a not-for-profit, four-year accredited college/university in their home state.
• Students must be a resident of: North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Ohio, Colorado, or Washington, D.C.
• Students must have demonstrated financial need as verified by the college or university financial aid office at the institution they will attend
  • Preference will be given to students who are Pell Grant-eligible at the time of selection.
• Students must identify as members of underrepresented populations and historically underserved communities.
• Students must have an unweighted high school GPA between a 2.5 – 3.5, or a GED
• Students must be a U.S Citizen or U.S. national or permanent resident

Applicants from Washington, DC must plan to attend an eligible institution for DC students in one of the following regions: DC Metropolitan, Greater Baltimore, Tidewater/Hampton Roads, Lower Eastern Shore (MD), Greater Richmond. This list of eligible institutions is posted in the “Application Guide” located under the supporting documents on the Fidelity Scholars application page HERE.

Washington DC applicants must also apply for the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) when it opens, prior to being selected for the Fidelity Scholars Program.

Students who participate in dual enrollment programs that do not result in an associate’s degree are eligible to apply.

Yes, you can save your application and finish it later. When you complete a section in your application, always hit “Save” and/or “Save and Continue” to save your work. If you hit “cancel,” the application will close and your work will not be saved.

Follow these steps to locate and finish an application you started:

1. Go to Opportunities.UNCF.org
2. Click “Log In/Register” at the top of the page
3. Log into your UNCF account
4. Hover over “Home” at the top of the page
5. Select “Applicant Home”
6. Select “2027-2028 Fidelity Scholars Program”

As a need-based scholarship, the amount of financial support provided will depend on the cost of attendance determined at the college or university in which you are enrolling. The Fidelity Scholars Program uses the following equation to determine scholar’s award amount:

Cost of Attendance – Student Aid Index – Outside Scholarship/Other Resources = Scholarship Amount

UNCF will be responsible for scholarship candidate selection and funds distribution to the recipients’ institutions. Fidelity has no role in the selection process of Fidelity Scholars.

Yes. Students who fall below a 2.5 GPA will be at risk of losing their scholarship. However, students will have access to dedicated college success coaches throughout the academic year to help them keep on track and will have access to resources both on campus and through the program’s nonprofit partners to support their academic success.

For questions and assistance regarding the application, please email: FidelityScholars@uncf.org.