The Finance Lab Scholarship

Learn to invest by actually investing.

The plan is step one. The portfolio is step two. So far, each $1,000 scholarship has been paid across four milestones, not all at once, and scholars earned each one by showing what they learned.

10+
scholars funded
$10,000+
in scholarships

How it has worked so far

$250
Set your goals
Complete self-paced modules on financial goal-setting. Define what wealth means for your life.
$250
Know your risk
Learn risk tolerance, index funds, and long-term investing. Open your real brokerage account.
$250
Build your portfolio
Invest at least 10% of your scholarship in real markets. Real decisions. Real money.
$250
Present your strategy
Present your investment approach to a panel of professionals at our showcase event.

Practice first. In Draft Day, students build a $50,000 simulated portfolio and write a thesis for every pick. Scholars do it for real: they invest at least 10% of their award in real markets.

Meet our current scholars

Peter Y., Finance Lab Scholar

“I first invested right when I turned 18 and one of my first investments was in the S&P 500! Start investing as early as possible!”

Peter Y. · Finance Lab Scholar
Amina S., Finance Lab Scholar

“I remember sitting down to open my brokerage account, fully expecting it to be this huge, confusing process, and I was shocked at how simple it actually was. That moment took away so much of the fear I had around investing. It’s definitely something everyone can do!”

Amina S. · Finance Lab Scholar

Real money, real stakes

Students invest actual dollars, and that emotional weight changes how seriously they take every decision.

Earned in four steps

Each $250 is unlocked by demonstrating competence, which builds the accountability of a real portfolio.

An authentic audience

Defending choices to real professionals changes how seriously students approach the work.

Designed for equity

Scholars so far could enroll with an ITIN; no Social Security number needed. Built for first-generation wealth builders.

Ongoing check-ins

Scholars get regular check-ins and can bring us their money questions for feedback.

Who can apply

  1. Learn it in class. Complete The College Project, in the book or the app, in a class at a Finance Lab partner school.
  2. Qualify. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, or who will be the first in their family to go to college, are eligible. Students say which on the application.
  3. Get nominated. Teachers nominate students from their classes.
  4. Apply. Nominated students complete a short application.
  5. Selection. The board selects at least one Scholar per teacher.

The Finance Lab’s board sets eligibility each year. When a round opens, partner teachers get the nomination form and students get the application.

Get notified when applications open

Questions? team@thefinancelab.co