Scholarships for Students
Bay Federal Credit Union’s Education Scholarship is for students who are pursuing education and career training opportunities after high school.
Application Deadline: March 6, 2026
Bay Federal Credit Union’s Education Scholarship is for students who are pursuing education and career training opportunities after high school. Up to four individual winners will be awarded $2,000 to pay for expenses directly related to their continuing education. Those who wish to be considered for an award must meet all eligibility requirements below and submit a completed 2026 Education Scholarship Application, along with all required documents described in this document, by no later than March 6, 2026. Winners will be notified by April 10, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for this scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
Membership Requirements
Applicants must be a Bay Federal Credit Union (“Bay Federal”) member in good standing. This means:
- You must have a Bay Federal Membership Savings Account in your name with a balance of at least $5. Membership criteria is available on the Bay Federal Credit Union Joining FAQs.
- You cannot have caused Bay Federal a financial loss, either from a charged-off deposit or a charged-off loan.
- You cannot have loans with past-due payments/charged-off loans or lines of credit.
Academic Requirements
By August 1, 2026:
- Applicants must be either a high school graduate, a high school senior scheduled to graduate with the Class of 2026, or have successfully completed a high school equivalency exam. High school seniors who are concurrently enrolled in college courses are eligible to apply, provided they meet the graduation requirements above. Students who are currently enrolled in college or a trade school are also eligible to apply.
- You must also be accepted and/or enrolled as a part- or full-time student for the Fall 2026 quarter, semester, or session at any postsecondary school, college, university, or trade certification program that is accredited by any of the nationally recognized accrediting agencies listed on the U.S. Department of Education website, with classes beginning no later than October 1, 2026.
Current Bay Federal Credit Union employees, officers, and volunteers are not eligible for this scholarship; family members of current employees, officers, and volunteers are eligible to apply.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents to Bay Federal by no later than March 6, 2026:
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A 2026 Bay Federal Education Scholarship Application, completed and signed.
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Proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance from the school or education program you plan to attend in Fall 2026, or a written statement explaining why you are unable to provide proof by the submission deadline. Scholarship winners must provide proof of enrollment to Bay Federal Credit Union on or before October 1, 2026, or their scholarship award will be forfeited.
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A video application that meets the topic and formatting requirements provided under “Video Topic & Requirements” section (see below).
Video Topic & Requirements
Video Requirements:
Your video must include the following:
- Maximum length: 3 minutes
- Language: Videos may be submitted in English or Spanish
- A brief introduction that includes:
- Your name
- Your education plans
- Your career goals
- Clearly respond to one of the approved video topic options
Video Dimensions & Formatting:
- 9:16 (Vertical) - Link to YouTube, Vimeo or TikTok
Option 1: Financial Wellness & Its Impact
Why do you think financial wellness is important for young people? How can financial wellness create positive change in your family, school, or community?
Or
Option 2: Teach a Financial Wellness Topic
Choose one of the topics below and explain it in a clear, engaging way:
- How to make a budget for college or a trade school program.
- How credit works and why it’s important.
- How to spot a scam before it steals your money or identity.
For information about financial wellness topics, check our website & financial wellness partner: Green Path
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Video submissions must represent the applicant’s original thoughts, voice, and work. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate scripts, responses, or spoken content for scholarship videos is not permitted. Limited use of AI for technical assistance (such as video editing, captions, or background noise reduction) is acceptable, provided the content itself is entirely the applicant’s own.
Submissions found to include AI-generated content may be disqualified.
Rules & Guidelines
Judging
A panel of judges will review and score each eligible applicant’s submitted materials based on the following criteria:
- Meets all eligibility requirements
- Video submissions follow the guidelines
Judges will be looking for:
- Clear and accurate explanations of financial ideas
- Creativity in how you present your topic
- An engaging video that captures attention and connects with viewers
After all materials have been judged, up to four of the top-scoring eligible applicants will be chosen to receive scholarship awards. In the event of a tie for one of the four highest scores, judges will reexamine the submissions of all top-scoring submissions to select four winners.
Deadline & Submission Instructions
To apply for the scholarship, you must complete the online application and upload all required documents prior to the deadline of March 6, 2026.
Winner Notification
Winners will be notified via phone call and/or email by April 10, 2026.
Forfeiture
In the event that Bay Federal Credit Union is unable to contact a winning applicant by May 31, 2026, or determines that a winning applicant is ineligible for an award based on the requirements and conditions set forth in this document:
- The applicant will be disqualified and forfeit any and all awarded funds and recognition related to this scholarship.
- The applicant with the next highest score will be chosen as a winner.
Ownership of Documents and Materials
All documents and materials submitted for consideration of this scholarship will become the sole property of Bay Federal Credit Union, with an irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide license to reproduce, translate, communicate, distribute, edit, adapt, copy, and otherwise use for any purpose, including but not limited to the promotion of any product, service, or program owned or offered by Bay Federal Credit Union or an affiliate organization with permission from Bay Federal Credit Union. Documents and materials may include but are not limited to: applications, resumes, letters, transcripts, essays, and videos. If you would like Bay Federal Credit Union to return original documents and/or materials to you, please include a written request with your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you are on track to earning your high school diploma or general education development (GED) certificate by August 1, 2026, you can apply for the scholarship.
Yes. Undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students are eligible to apply as long as the school you will be attending in the Fall of 2026 meets the accreditation guidelines set forth in this document.
Yes. Individuals who plan to attend community college or a career/technical training program can apply as long as the school meets the accreditation guidelines set forth in this document.
Yes. Students who are attending or planning to attend an accredited, professional training or certificate program to further their education after high school are encouraged to apply for the scholarship.
As long as you have earned a general education development (GED) certificate or equivalent by August 1, 2026, you can apply for the scholarship.
No. As long as you meet all eligibility requirements, you can apply for the scholarship.
Absolutely, yes! Please review the eligibility requirements.
No, but their family members can apply.
No. As long as you meet all eligibility requirements, you can apply for the scholarship no matter where you live.
Our scholarship program is a benefit offered to Bay Federal members. If circumstances beyond your control make it difficult to join Bay Federal, please send an email to scholarship@bayfed.com.
You can become a member by opening a Bay Federal Membership Savings Account with a deposit of at least $5. Information about opening an account can be found in “Eligibility Requirements” and on the Join FAQs. The amount of money in your savings account above $5 will have no effect on your chances of winning the scholarship; however, you may be required to maintain a minimum account balance to avoid a monthly service charge. For complete details regarding accounts, minimum balance requirements, and potential service charges, see the Truth In Savings Disclosure and the Consumer and Business Fee Schedule at www.bayfed.com/disclosures.
Scholarship winners will be notified via phone call and/or email by April 10, 2026.
While Google online tools can be used to create documents for submission, Bay Federal is unable to open documents shared with scholarship@bayfed.com.