Chime Scholars Foundation Applications for 2025-2026 Now Open

Offers Scholarships Up to $20,000 for Students of All Backgrounds Pursuing Various Forms of Higher Education

Launched in 2022, Program Has Helped Nearly 600 Scholars Achieve Their Educational Goals

Scholarship Recipients Have Made Real Financial Progress, with 72% Finding Employment in Their Field of Study Within Six Months of Graduation

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chime^® announced today that its Chime Scholars Foundation (“CSF”) has opened applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. Aspiring scholars can now apply for scholarships of up to $20,000 to support their education, paving the way for greater career opportunities and higher earnings.

Since 2022, CSF has expanded access to higher education through a scholarship program that drives real financial progress for everyday Americans. For the 2024-2025 academic year, it awarded over $2 million in scholarships to 438 students. Beyond financial assistance, scholars join a strong, supportive network of fellow CSF scholars and Chime employees.

CSF takes a unique approach to scholarships, welcoming students of all backgrounds, ages, and educational stages—whether they are mid-career professionals, transferring from community college, attending part-time, returning to school, or coming from low-income or marginalized communities. It supports not only traditional college paths but also apprenticeships, trade schools, and technical certifications. Research shows that higher education nearly doubles lifetime earnings while halving unemployment risk.^1,2 By investing in vocational and technical education, CSF empowers scholars to build stable, in-demand careers.

"We started Chime to improve financial services for everyday people. Our idea was simple. If we could reduce stress around money, our members would have a better chance to live better lives. CSF expands on this mission by funding college and other post-secondary programs for those who have the ambition to pursue a brighter future," said Chris Britt, CEO of Chime. "The financial support I received for my education changed my life, and I'm incredibly proud of CSF's impact—giving motivated students an opportunity like I had, and helping them unlock their financial progress."

Since 2022, CSF has impacted nearly 600 scholars nationwide—easing financial burdens, boosting graduation rates, and opening doors to higher-paying career opportunities. 100% of surveyed graduates credit CSF with helping them achieve their degree or certification. Chime scholars have a projected 87% graduation rate, nearly double that of Federal Pell Grant recipients.³ The strong CSF community fosters both academic success and valuable networking. Within six months of graduation, 72% secure jobs in their field, 86% report reduced financial stress, and more than three-quarters reduce or eliminate the need to work while in school.

Chime has taken the 1% pledge—committing millions of shares of its equity over a decade to fund CSF and support its ongoing expansion. This commitment supports Chime’s mission to serve everyday Americans, strengthening Chime's community impact—97% of Chime members state that Chime has helped with at least one aspect of financial progress.⁴

The CSF scholarship application is now open through March 25. Aspiring scholars should act fast to seize this transformative, career-defining opportunity. For more information and to apply, visit Chime Scholars Foundation.

About Chime

Chime is a financial technology company founded on the premise that basic banking services should be helpful, easy, and free. Chime builds products that allow the company to succeed when its members do. That’s why Chime doesn’t rely on punitive fees such as overdraft, monthly service, or minimum balance fees. Chime is one of the most downloaded banking apps in America. Member deposits are FDIC-insured through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, up to applicable limits.⁵ For additional information, please visit www.chime.com.

¹ Georgetown University
² APLU
³ Predicted graduation rate of all scholars over three cohorts FY23-FY25 using 90% retention rate for future years.
⁴ Information compiled from Hero Metric Survey responses from 35,000 active Chime members—July 2024.
⁵ Chime® is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply.