Farzad & Ochoa's Financial Literary Scholarship

Updated June 1, 2021. Winner Announced for 2020 Scholarship

Brandon Cheng, Walter Payton College Prep. Here is his winning essay: Link to winning essay.

We were impressed by his research, a writing style that combined professionalism and levity and his ability to stay on topic through effective structure and organization.

At Farzad & Ochoa, We Are Advocates for Financial Literacy and Higher Learning

At Farzad & Ochoa, our team is committed to supporting students working toward their goals in higher education.

Our attorneys understand the sacrifices students often make to pay for their education.

We made the same sacrifices to cover the cost of our own education—both during undergraduate studies and in law school.

To this end, we award this annual scholarship to one deserving student based on academic merit and their submitted essay.

Our scholarship committee will consider all complete applications submitted via our website before the December 15, 2020 deadline.

2020 Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

As a merit-based scholarship, you will need to meet specific requirements to qualify, which includes:

1. Having a minimum 3.0 GPA in your high school within the United States (for upcoming first-year college students) coursework or your college courses,
2. Being admitted to or currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States,
3. Submitting an essay of 1,500 to 3,000 words on the topic below. The word count is not strict but a guideline,
4. Submitting a copy of your most recent high school or university transcript. You may redact any social security number from the document you submit, and Agreeing to the terms and conditions of this scholarship offer.
5. Agreeing to the terms and conditions of this scholarship offer as set forth herein and on the terms and conditions page.

You must also include the following information when you apply for the scholarship:

• Your first Name
• Your last Name
• Your street address + city, state, and zip code
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• The school or university you are currently attending, and
• Your expected graduation date

The scholarship applicant is responsible for any State and/or Federal taxes related to receipt of the scholarship.

By applying for this scholarship, you give us express consent to confirm your admission, attendance, and GPA, by contacting the high school, college, or university.

Employees of the firm or any family members of such employees are disqualified from applying for the scholarship.

2020 Scholarship Essay

For 2020, we ask scholarship applicants to write between 1,500 to 3,000 words on the following three-part topic:

1. What specific challenges do you or your peers currently have that prevent you / your peers from the optimal management of personal finances? This can be educational, technological, societal, and/or even generational (your generation).
2. What specific education-related steps can you and your peers take to move toward that optimal management of personal finances? Include steps regardless of whether you or your peers pursue a degree and/or a career in finance or accounting.
3. What specific technology-related steps can you and your peers take to move toward that optimal management of personal finances?

Your essay must be submitted as a PDF when you email the rest of your application materials.