Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program

Overview

Visa is committed to investing in the leaders of tomorrow, cultivating an inclusive and diverse workplace and working together to enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive.

The Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program, in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), is a program designed for college-bound Black and African American students in the United States. Eligible high school seniors applying or intending to pursue a business or technology undergraduate degree at any four-year accredited college or university in the U.S. can receive a needs-based scholarship grant of up to $20,000/year. Scholars will also receive mentorship from Visa employees, year-round training, and have opportunities to grow their key technical, professional and leadership skills.

Scholars who continue to meet expectations, remain in good standing, and maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA will be eligible for annual renewals. Upon graduation, all scholarship recipients who have met their commitments and Visa job requirements will be guaranteed a full-time job with Visa.

Together, let’s unlock access to education so that everyone, everywhere can truly thrive.

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About VISA

Meet Visa, the network working for everyone. As one of the world’s leading digital payments technology companies, our mission is to connect the world through the most creative, reliable and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. Why? Because we believe economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere.

With 1.8 billion people without access to formal financial services, our global team of innovators drive economic growth in even the most remote parts of the world, unlocking access for millions of unbanked and underserved consumers. With the help of our advanced payments network, a mother in Rwanda can pay bills online, a graphic designer in Vancouver can receive payment on her phone and the owner of a tiendita in Mexico can sell to customers from around the world.

Universal acceptance for everyone, everywhere is not only Visa’s brand promise, it’s the foundation of our company culture. We foster a feeling of connectedness in the workplace, support diversity of thought, culture and background, fight for equality in all forms and actively work to eliminate unconscious biases that hold us all back.

You Are a Leader

Visa Black Scholars inaugural class

Visa is a network working for everyone – that includes our people. At Visa, we believe that everyone is a leader and we are committed to building a culture of leadership at every level – including future leaders, like you.

The Visa Leadership Principles are integrated into all we do; we are focused on what people accomplish and how they go about doing it. At Visa, we look for leaders who:

  • Lead by Example: You have the courage to stand up for what is right, act with the highest integrity and hold yourself (and others) accountable. You set the example by treating others as you would like to be treated.
  • Enable and Inspire: You inspire others to go above and beyond. You take the time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.
  • Collaborate: You work openly and honestly with others. You engage your teammates early and regularly so everyone is set up for success.
  • Act Decisively: You respectfully challenge the status quo. You are curious, bold and motivated to take risks and advocate for changes. You acknowledge mistakes and learn from them.
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What You'll Gain

“The fact that this program is more than a scholarship is what motivated me to apply. It is a bridge from the start of college to the start of a career.” – Courtney Y., Visa Black Scholar (Inaugural class)

  • Financial support – Receive up to $20,000 per year in scholarships for up to four years.
  • Networking – Attend an all-expenses paid Scholar Summit at the Visa Headquarters in Northern California in Spring 2023, where you will network with other scholars, interact with Visa leaders, learn from inspirational speakers, and participate in interactive skill building.
  • Mentorship – Take advantage of year-round training, mentorship and guidance from experienced Visa employees.
  • Skill building – Grow key technical, professional and leadership skills.
  • Professional development & growth – Participate in growth and development activities to help prepare for post-graduation careers.
  • Opportunity to intern at Visa – Learn new skills, collaborate within teams and find community.
  • Join the Visa family, full time! Scholars who meet the outlined criteria and associated job requirements will be invited to join Visa full time after graduation.

Together, let’s turn your passions into purpose and opportunity.

“I was motivated to apply to the Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program because I always knew I wanted to pursue higher education. I’ve never seen a program cater to the success of black scholars, so when I encountered this opportunity, I decided to seize it. I am so honored to be a part of the first inaugural class. It’s mind-blowing knowing we are the trailblazers to an undoubtedly principal program. It makes me proud to be a part of this class.” – Fatima B., Visa Black Scholar (Inaugural class)

Eligibility

  • Intend to pursue an education in Technology (e.g., Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Networking, Cybersecurity, or related majors) or Business (e.g., HR, Finance, Marketing, Sales, International Business, or related majors)
  • Current high school seniors enrolled or intending to enroll in a full-time undergraduate degree program, starting in Fall 2022, at any accredited four-year college or university in the U.S.
  • Must be a United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.0
  • Graduating from an accredited college or university undergraduate degree program between December 2025 and May 2026
  • Demonstrate a financial need
  • Identify as Black/African American

Scholar Expectations (including, but not limited to the following):

  • Must be able to participate in all program-related activities
  • Remain in good academic standing with minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Maintain a strong academic record clear of disciplinary infractions
  • Students selected to participate in the program must provide TMCF with supporting documentation requested during the financial need verification process

Connect With Us

How to Apply

  1. Create or log in to your TMCF Account
  2. Complete the Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program application and hit submit

Application deadline is Monday, January 10, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST.

Application is Currently Closed

For questions, please contact visahelp@tmcf.org

FAQs

The Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program is a needs-based scholarship program, providing up to $20,000/year, designed for eligible college-bound Black and African American students in the United States.

Scholars will receive mentorship from Visa employees and have opportunities to grow their key technical, professional and leadership skills. Scholarship recipients who have met program expectations and job requirements will be invited to participate in Visa’s summer internship experience and join Visa full-time after graduation.

Aligned to Visa’s commitment to an inclusive and diverse environment that supports the development and advancement of all, the establishment of The Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program is an important step in making a long-term investment in Black and African American students, and growing representation at the company.

Visa is partnering with Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to attract, source and select the recipients of the Visa Scholars & Jobs program scholarship.

Application deadline is Monday, January 10, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST.

The program is open to:

  • Black and African American high school seniors who are applying or intend to enroll in a full-time four-year undergraduate degree, starting in Fall 2022, at any accredited college or university in the U.S.
  • Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have an intention to pursue studies in Technology or Business with an expected graduation date between December 2025 and May 2026.
    • Example Technology majors include: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Networking, Cybersecurity, or related majors.
    • Example Business majors include: HR, Finance, Marketing, Sales, International Business, or related majors.
  • Students must also possess a minimum of 3.0 GPA in high school and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the program.

Scholars who continue to meet the criteria, remain in good standing and maintain full-time status and a minimum of 3.0 GPA in university will be eligible for annual scholarship renewals.

The program is open to all universities in the United States, both public and private. Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled or intending to enroll as a full-time student in a four-year accredited college or university in the U.S are eligible for participation.

No, this program is limited to current high school senior students and not open to students currently in college. However, if you are interested in opportunities at Visa, please visit visa.com/students to review current opportunities for college students and new grads.

The program is only open to eligible high school seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university. The scholarship is not available to students applying to community colleges.

Scholars must demonstrate an interest in pursuing Technology or Business majors to be considered for the program, and eventually a full-time job offer at Visa.

  • Example Technology majors include Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Networking, Cybersecurity, or related majors.
  • Example Business majors include HR, Finance, Marketing, Sales, International Business, or related majors.

No. United States citizens and permanent residents who meet all other eligibility requirements are eligible to apply.

Yes. Students must possess a minimum of 3.0 GPA in high school to be eligible. Post-acceptance into the program, scholars will need to maintain 3.0 GPA to be eligible for scholarship renewals.

The scholarship follows the selected scholars. Scholars must continue to pursue a full-time undergraduate degree in any of the Technology or Business majors outlined above.

The selection process aims to assess all eligibility requirements and critical skills that will enable your success in the program.

Scholars will receive mentorship from Visa employees, have opportunities to grow their key technical, professional and leadership skills, take advantage of year-round training, and be invited to attend a Scholar Summit at Visa Headquarters in Northern California in Spring 2023.

Scholars will have the opportunity to apply for an internship with Visa starting as early as the summer of their sophomore year.

Yes, the summer internship is paid. The amount is based on your internship location and will be shared with the student when an offer is made.

No. While we hope you will want to join Visa, any internships that you apply for or full-time positions you are offered are optional. Program activities and events that take place while you are on scholarship are required.

For more information about the Visa Black Scholars & Jobs Program, please contact visahelp@tmcf.org.