Stuck on FAFSA?

For students stuck in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process, scholarships, low-cost education and career programs, employer tuition support, and other opportunities provide college aid for everyone, including students who aren't eligible for federal financial aid.

Information for High Achieving Students

QuestBridge

If you are a high-achieving, low-income high school student, Questbridge is for you. They have partnerships with the country’s best colleges, all of which are actively seeking successful students that have experienced long-term financial hardship.  All of our programs are designed to connect you with top educational, professional, scholarship, and life opportunities.

Most Generous Colleges and Universities

Check out this list of the most generous colleges and universities—many admit students on a "need blind" basis, meaning they don't take family income or financial assets into account when choosing who to admit.

In-state Merit Scholarships

Admitted AZ residents are automatically considered for Merit Scholarships. Click the links below to learn more about merit scholarships.

Arizona State University

Northern Arizona University 

University of Arizona

Grand Canyon University

Additional Institutional Scholarships

Look below for additional scholarships from each institution.

ASU Scholarship Portal

GCU Scholarship Portal

• Students Inspiring Students Scholarship (Free Tuition)

NAU Scholarship Portals

• NAU Foundation application system
• The NAU Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid scholarship application
• NAU College and Department Scholarships

UA Scholarship Portal (Scholarship Universe) 

Maricopa Community Colleges' Portal 

• Maricopa Community College District Scholarships
• Maricopa Foundation Scholarships

Private Scholarships

In addition to merit awards/scholarships given out by colleges and universities or school-affiliated foundations, there are a number of private scholarships that you may want to consider.

Raise.me

Gates Scholarship

QuestBridge

Dorrance Scholarship Program

Flinn Scholarship

Arizona Community Foundation

The Arizona Community Foundation is the state’s largest provider of private scholarships—more than 90 total. Some scholarships are DACA- and Dreamer-friendly. All are competitive and open to students statewide.

Begin your application for an Arizona Community Foundation scholarship

Phoenix Union Foundation Scholarship Fund 

Established to provide college scholarships to students of the Phoenix Union High School District who are pursuing a post-secondary education. The Phoenix Union Foundation Scholarship is located in the ACF Scholarship portal here. Begin your application Arizona Community Foundation scholarship

Alcanzando Un Sueño Scholarship Fund

Funded by Cruz and Associates, the program helps the next generation of Hispanic students achieve their post-secondary education goals. The scholarship is open to exemplary high school seniors of Hispanic descent residing in metro Phoenix who’ve overcome extraordinary challenges in order to achieve academic success.

Start your application for an Alcanzando Un Sueño Scholarship

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards are open to Hispanic students (including DACA) who have 3.0 GPAs or better and plan to attend public universities. Highly competitive and open to students nationwide.

Apply for a Hispanic Scholarship Award

Jack Kent Cooke Program

The Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix and Friendly House created the IME Becas / Friendly House Program, which selects Mexicans or young people of Mexican origin to access a scholarship of up to $ 2,000.00 USD to start or continue their studies at an Arizona university or community college.

Contact: Sandra Valdez, Family Services Manager

sandra.valdez@friendlyhouse.org

(602) 416-7227

Scholarship Assistance

Three ways to contact:

• Fill out a Collge Depot contact form.
• Call 602-261-8847
• Email college.depot@phoenix.gov to set up a phone/virtual/in-person appointment

Programs That Offer Funding or Free Training 

A New Leaf’s Assets to Opportunity (ATO)

A New Leaf’s Assets to Opportunity (ATO) is a matched savings program. With a savings goal of $500, the ATO program will match education participants with $8 for each dollar saved. This means a maximum matched amount of $4,000, giving participants a total of $4,500 to assist in funding their education.Matched funds can be used for tuition and fees, textbooks, school supplies, and any approved course materials at any accredited community college, university, or trade school in Arizona. ATOs are open to all who meet eligibility.

For more information contact

      (480) 833-3415                 

email ato@turnanewleaf.org

ATO Information Flyer

Apprenticeship Programs

Registered apprenticeship programs provide training in fields like child care, construction, manufacturing, and much more.

Year Up

Year Up is an intensive, one-year program for college students ages 18-24 that combines professional coaching, hands-on skill development, and internships at some of America’s top companies.

About 85% of Year Up graduates are employed or attending college full-time within four months of completing the program. Those employed earn an average starting wage of $18 per hour—$36,000 per year for salaried employees. 

For more information, contact Gaspar Mata at GMata@YearUp.org or 480-498-7396 x2154. Or visit the Year Up website.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Funding is available to disconnected youth ages 16-24. A student is considered disconnected if they are not enrolled in a post-secondary institution or working. Most of our students would be considered disconnected the day after they graduate high school.

Young adults can qualify for $3,000 per year. Refer to the three City of Phoenix providers:

Jewish Family and Children Services Real World Job Development
9014 N. 23rd Ave., Building 2, Suite 3 Phoenix, AZ 85021
602-279-0084 
www.jfcsaz.org 

Chicanos Por La Causa
1112 E. Buckeye Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85034
602-257-0700 
www.cplc.org

YMCA
3825 N. 67th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85033
602-688-5332
www.valleyymca.org 

Affordable Education Programs

MCCCD Affordable Tuition

Maricopa Community College Credit programs are $85 per credit hour with $1,020 flat rate for 12 or more credits per semester for Maricopa residents. 

Review degree and certificate programs at various MCCCD sites.

For more information, contact a rep.

MCCCD Clock Hour Programs

Maricopa Community College Clock Hour Programs offer affordable options for quick career training. Clock-hour costs range from $5-$6 per clock hour for all students.

Review Clock Hour Programs and start dates at various MCCCD sites.

For more information, contact Arnold Torres at arnold.paul.torres@gatewaycc.edu or 602-286-8212. 

Tohono O'odham Community College

Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement

Many companies offer tuition assistance and/or reimbursement to all of their employees including those with DACA status. See below for examples. For eligibility requirements, follow up with the employer.

• Amazon
• Anthem
• Arizona Federal Credit
• AT&T
• Bank of America
• Best Buy
• Chipotle
• City of Phoenix 
• Comcast
• Dignity Health
• Edward Jones Phoenix
• Fidelity
• Home Depot
• Liberty Mutual
• McDonalds
• Oracle
• PayPal
• Publix
• Silicon Valley Bank
• UPS
• Verizon
• Walmart
• Wells Fargo & Co.

Tuition Assistance Program