FINANCIAL SKILLS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Golden Futures Scholarships
Through the New York Life Golden Futures Scholarship Program, teens can build practical money skills that help them prepare for their financial future and earn a shot at a $10,000 or $20,000 scholarship.
How it works
Help your high schooler take the first step toward financial confidence. Getting started is easy—watch the video to learn more, and follow these three steps. You can check out our FAQs for more information.
Step 1
Register to receive an access code, and then share it with your student.
Step 2
Student downloads the Zogo app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and registers with the access code
Step 3
Student completes at least 25 learning modules in the Zogo game to qualify to apply for the scholarship
Step 4
Student applies for the scholarship, providing all information requested, on the Scholarship America website
Financial learning that unlocks opportunity
Teens who complete a certain number of financial education modules can become eligible to apply for and win a $10,000 or $20,000 scholarship.
Complete 25 modules
$10,000
Build a strong foundation in budgeting, saving & smart financial choices
Complete 50 modules
$20,000
Deepen financial skills and take an even bigger step toward future goals
Your questions, answered
Scholarship eligibility
What are the scholarship rules?
Please refer to the official New York Life Financial Empowerment Scholarship Official Rules for more details on eligibility, requirements, and award guidelines.
What’s my role as a parent in this?
Once you register, you’ll receive an access code that you can share with your teenager. You’ll be granting them permission to register for and play the financial education game within the Zogo app.
Are there any age restrictions for who can play?
Students ages 13 and up are welcome to download the Zogo app with parental permission. However, only high school juniors and seniors are eligible for the Golden Futures Scholarship.
Do I have to be a citizen to participate in the scholarship?
No, only legal residency in the United States is required to participate in the scholarship.
Who’s eligible for the scholarship?
Applicants must be current high school juniors or seniors at the time of application and must reside in the United States. High school seniors must plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited 2- or 4-year college, university, vocational-technical school, or CEGEP (or equivalent) for the upcoming academic year. High school juniors will have their scholarship deferred for one year and must enroll in the academic year that follows. Children of New York Life employees, agents, and vendors are not eligible.
What if my child is not a high school junior or senior?
If your child is not a junior or senior in high school, they’re still eligible to play the game and win rewards (gift cards) within the app, but they will not be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
How to qualify to apply for the scholarship
How many modules need to be completed to be eligible to apply for the scholarship?
At least 25 modules need to be completed to qualify to apply for the $10,000 scholarship and at least 50 for the $20,000 scholarship.
What’s the deadline for the scholarship?
The Golden Futures Scholarship launches on February 9 , 2026, and entries close on May 31, 2026.
What’s the application process for the scholarship?
Once the required number of modules are completed, the junior or senior high school student will be eligible to apply for the scholarship on the Scholarship America website. They’ll be required to write an essay and enter applicable information, including their high school credentials.
Scholarships & prizes
How will I find out if I won a scholarship?
Winners will be notified using the email address and phone number provided in the scholarship application process.
When will the scholarship money be distributed?
The scholarship money will be paid directly to the student’s higher education institution, vocational training school, or trade school.
What are the scholarship amounts?
There are a limited number of $20,000 and $10,000 scholarships that will be awarded.
If I qualify for the $20,000 scholarship, am I still eligible for the $10,000 scholarship?
If you complete 50+ modules, you’ll be considered for both scholarships—but you’ll only receive one if selected.
How do gift cards in the Zogo app work?
You can earn “coins,” the app’s currency, by completing modules. These coins can be exchanged for gift cards within the game “Marketplace,” regardless of scholarship outcomes. Redeemed gift cards are sent via email.
Using the Zogo app & tracking progress
How does the app track how many modules are completed?
Your progress will automatically be tracked in the Zogo app and associated with your email address. A status tracker in the Zogo app will show you how many modules you’ve completed and how many more you need to complete to reach the next level.
How do I make sure I get credit for completing the necessary number of modules?
In order to verify you completed the necessary number of modules, use the same email address and name to register for the Zogo app and on the Scholarship America application. If you registered for Zogo with the wrong email address, you can change it by editing your email address in your profile.
You will also be asked to opt-in to share information with New York Life so Zogo can share your module completion data with both New York Life and Scholarship America. Please make sure you check your email address and opt-in to sharing in the profile section before the scholarship application deadline.
How do I know I’m on the right version of the Zogo app?
If you see the New York Life logo and the progress tracker at the top of your home screen in the app, you’re in the correct version.
If I already had an account with the Zogo app, how do I transfer it?
Users with existing accounts have to request an app transfer. If your transfer isn’t complete within 72 hours, please reach out to the team at scholarships@zogofinance.com. Make sure to include New York Life in the subject line of your email.
No purchase or payment of any kind is required to apply. Golden Futures Awards and Scholarships are awarded based on eligibility and selection criteria. Application does not guarantee receipt of a scholarship or award.