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Spark Wealth

A Wealth Building Opportunity for Student Parents

Introduction

Welcome to Spark Wealth, a pilot program for student parents attending community college in Maricopa County! Through personalized financial coaching and financial contributions like gift cards and savings deposits, students will be supported to earn their degree and build wealth for their family.

There are two program tracks and each track will offer different levels of financial support. See below for more details.

Spark Wealth is made possible through the generosity of the Albertsons Companies Foundation and is managed by Gift Card Bank, a national nonprofit on a mission to improve well-being and build financial stability by supporting people through their time of need. Gift Card Bank specializes in gift card programs and believes strongly in the dignity of choice.

Please review the information on this page thoroughly, and if you have any further questions please email sparkwealth@giftcardbank.org.

The application period has closed. Gift Card Bank is actively reviewing applications and will contact students after the lottery. If you applied and were selected by the lottery, you should hear from Gift Card Bank by September 19th.

Program Tracks

Spark Wealth is an 18-24 month program for student parents. It has two program tracks and both are designed to support student parents to build wealth for themselves and their families. The two tracks and the support each will receive are:

Glow Track

➡️ One-on-one financial coaching

➡️ $500 savings gift after completion of financial coaching

Ignite Track

➡️ One-on-one financial coaching

➡️ $500 per month in gift card stipends for up to 24 months

➡️ $20,000 savings gift upon graduation

➡️ Access to emergency funds

All eligible applicants will be entered into a lottery. The lottery will randomly determine who is invited to participate in Spark Wealth and the lottery will also determine each participant’s track. While you will not be able to choose your track, both tracks provide free, individualized financial coaching that will help you meet the financial goals you have for yourself and your family, like reducing debt and increasing savings.

Program FAQs

Eligibility

Spark Wealth is designed for student parents. To be eligible, student parents must be:

  • Enrolled in a degree seeking program at a community college in Maricopa County
  • On track to graduate between December 2026 and August 2027
  • The primary caregiver of at least one dependent child under 18
  • A Pell Grant recipient, or otherwise able to demonstrate financial need (such as receiving public benefits like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid)
  • Currently living in Arizona
  • Committed to monthly financial coaching (one hour per month, virtual)

Application and Selection Process

The application for the Spark Wealth program has closed. The Gift Card Bank team is in the process of reviewing all applications to determine eligibility. All eligible applications will be entered into a randomized lottery. The lottery will select program participants and the lottery will determine each participant's track. Participants cannot choose their track or change their track.

If you are selected to participate in the Spark Wealth program, you will be notified by email by Friday, September 19, 2025. The email will include the next steps you will need to complete in order to confirm your enrollment. The steps for each track are:

Glow Track

  • Complete initial evaluation survey
  • Confirm enrollment by Friday, September 26
  • Schedule first financial coaching session for late October

Ignite Track

  • Complete initial evaluation survey
  • Schedule and complete virtual welcome session within two weeks of acceptance email, which will include benefits counseling, information on enrollment and financial coaching, and an opportunity to have your questions answered one-on-one
  • Confirm enrollment after welcome session

Program Expectations

The goal of Spark Wealth is to make it easier and less stressful for participants to graduate and begin to build wealth. To remain in the Spark Wealth program, there are three requirements:

  1. Continue to stay enrolled in your community college and remain on track to graduate between December 2026 and August 2027. Students will be asked to upload transcripts periodically to confirm enrollment and that they are on track to graduate.
  2. Participate in financial coaching and communicate with your financial coach. Participants should expect one, 60-minute session each month. Sessions are virtual.
  3. Complete the Spark Wealth surveys (these will be anonymous, short, and administered four times over the two year program period).

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