The New York Life Financial Empowerment Scholarship was created to help young people build the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed financial decisions while supporting their educational goals. Rooted in New York Life’s commitment to being there for life’s most meaningful milestones, the program reflects the company’s belief that we are More Powerful Together when families, educators, and communities unite to prepare the next generation for success.
The scholarship engages high school juniors and seniors across the U.S. through the Zogo app, a gamified learning platform that teaches essential financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, credit, and long-term planning. Students who complete 25 or 50 modules become eligible for $10,000 or $20,000 scholarships, administered by Scholarship America.
In its inaugural year, New York Life awarded 20 scholarships totaling nearly $280,000, combining access to real-world financial education with tangible educational support. This dual focus ensures that students are not only better equipped to manage money but are also empowered to pursue higher education without the same financial barriers.
By tying scholarship eligibility to demonstrated financial literacy learning, New York Life reinforced its purpose-driven mission: to help families prepare for the future, celebrate milestones, and achieve lasting stability. The Financial Empowerment Scholarship stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to financial wellness, education, and community impact—showcasing how, together, we can create opportunities that shape brighter futures.
The New York Life Financial Empowerment Scholarship was designed to address a critical need: preparing young people with the financial knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in adulthood. Recognizing that financial literacy is often underrepresented in school curriculums, New York Life sought to bridge this gap by pairing practical education with the tangible reward of scholarship support.
The strategy behind the initiative centered on three core objectives:
Students registered in the Zogo app using a provided access code, unlocking a series of bite-sized financial literacy lessons. Topics ranged from budgeting and saving to credit management and long-term planning, presented in a gamified, approachable format designed to resonate with teens.
To qualify for scholarships, students completed either 25 modules (earning eligibility for $10,000) or 50 modules (for $20,000). This design ensured that eligibility was merit-based and tied directly to demonstrated learning, reinforcing the link between knowledge gained and opportunities earned.
New York Life saw concrete results from Zogo, reaching close to 4,000 students across the country and nearly 800 completed applications. New York Life saw a 50% increase in users applying for Credit pre-test vs post-test, 3% increased in investing as a teen, and 100% of users reported feeling more confident on the module topics after completing.
By linking financial empowerment with educational opportunity, the scholarship program elevated New York Life’s purpose-driven mission in a tangible way. It celebrated a critical milestone in young people’s lives—preparing for higher education—while equipping them with tools to navigate their financial futures
Through the Financial Empowerment Scholarship, New York Life reinforced its promise to stand alongside families as they achieve their goals, protect their legacies, and celebrate their milestones.
