DeShields Foundation for Literacy and Finance Scholarship
Education and financial awareness change lives, and this scholarship fund is designed to turn opportunity into lasting impact. It has been created to support students with ambition and purpose who are passionate about educational advancement, literacy development, and financial empowerment.
This scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It is an invitation to grow as scholars, leaders, and changemakers in a world that demands literacy, critical thinking, and financial responsibility, but at times overlooked by more demanding fields of study. The hope is that students will achieve their educational goals with confidence and build stronger futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
This scholarship seeks to support students and enable them to achieve their highest potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Any Black American student who is at least eighteen years old and accepted to or enrolled in an accredited college, certification, trade school, or lifelong learning program in finance or education may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they have demonstrated financial need and if they have resided in Delaware, Maryland, or Virginia.
To apply, write or create a video of a personal statement about yourself and why you’re applying for this scholarship, and share your perspective on how education or financial literacy can help improve communities. If submitting via video, submit a link as a public YouTube link or a Google Drive link. Settings should be set to "public" or "anyone with the link can view." If we can't access your video, your application won't be considered.
Additionally, upload proof of your community service or volunteer hours. You may also submit your financial situation documentation, but this is optional.
Please submit a video or essay answering the following questions. If submitting via video link, type the following "I submitted via video response."
1. Share a brief personal statement about who you are and why you're applying for this scholarship.
2. Answer one or both of the following questions:
-How might educational institutions better equip students with literacy, financial awareness, and practical life skills necessary for success in an evolving society?
-How have education, literacy, and financial awareness shaped your goals, and how will this scholarship help you use those tools to create a better future for yourself, your family, or your community?
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FAQ
The application deadline is Nov 8, 2026. Winners will be announced on Dec 9, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Dec 9, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
