Wells Fargo Gives $1 Million in Scholarships to Bridge Financial Gaps Faced by Students Amidst COVID-19

 Initiative comes as pandemic continues to hamper students’ ability to pursue their educational paths

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Students dedicated to making a positive difference in the world offer the greatest hope for the future, but for many their plans are threatened due to the unexpected financial gap posed by COVID-19 – sometimes prohibiting them from continuing and completing college. Wells Fargo wants to help close that gap by launching the Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship. This new initiative will provide 200 students with $5,000 each – funds that could help them cover various costs for their instruction and potentially make the difference in being able to continue their education. Wells Fargo’s commitment will go beyond financial assistance to include an optional mentorship opportunity to provide ongoing guidance for these students.

The program, which will begin accepting applications on Sept. 14, will be administered with long-standing partner APIA Scholars to students entering college and current college undergraduates for the Spring 2021 semester. The financial aid will be able to help cover costs of education like books, computers, materials to support distance learning, tuition, and housing.

A recent survey of leaders at various colleges and universities in July showed that 85 percent of colleges intended to maintain their tuition levels, with another twelve percent saying they would increase them, while another recent study showed that more than half (56%) of college students say they can no longer afford their tuition costs. These factors combined with the impacts of the pandemic to jobs overall creates a significant and unexpected financial gap for some students in continuing their educational journey.

“Despite the incredible disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic has created in their personal and academic lives, students remain some of the key drivers of change. Many are rising to the challenges we are all facing today, and they are working hard to make a difference in their communities,” said John Rasmussen, leader of the Student Lending at Wells Fargo. “These students are making a positive impact, but are faced with a negative impact from COVID that could limit their options. We want to help them remain on their academic paths and continue cultivating their potential to benefit those around them.”

Expanding Support

Through a collaboration with Wells Fargo’s scholarship partners, awardees will also have the opportunity to be matched with mentors from Wells Fargo that will offer practical expertise and guidance as they navigate academic life and their post-graduation journey. These mentors will provide guidance to better position these student for their futures and continue the positive impact they make in their communities and beyond.

“It has been our long-held belief that a post-secondary education can be a valuable tool in building long-term financial health, not just for individuals, but for their communities,” said Mike Weinbach, head of Consumer Lending at Wells Fargo. “The value of this program stems not just from the funds being allocated, but from pairing students with Wells Fargo team members and information that will help them long after they have utilized the direct financial support.”

Scholarship applications will be accepted from Sept. 14 to Oct. 2. Those interested in learning more about eligibility can visit wellsfargo.com/impactscholarship. Learn more about how Wells Fargo is responding to COVID-19.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.97 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,300 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 31 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 266,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2020 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo.

Contacts

Media
Manuel Venegas, 213-269-2723

manuel.venegas2@wellsfargo.com