Regions Riding Forward Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest offers a valuable opportunity for students seeking financial assistance for their college education. Regions Bank believes in supporting students whose passion and actions make stories worth sharing, following in the footsteps of individuals who have inspired them to make history. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship, including eligibility criteria, application requirements, and other essential information.

Overview of the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest is designed to support students in Regions Bank's service areas. The contest encourages students to reflect on individuals who have inspired them and to articulate their own aspirations for making a difference. It is a testament to Regions Bank's commitment to investing in the future by supporting the educational endeavors of promising students.

Key Features Introduced

The contest has evolved, introducing a video component and doubling the scholarship grants awarded. This reflects an increased commitment to supporting students and providing them with more avenues to express their thoughts and ideas.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Residency: Be a resident of (or currently enrolled in accredited colleges in) one of the 15 states that have Regions Bank full-service branches. These states include AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN, and TX.
Age: Be 16 years of age or older.
Education Level: Be a high school senior or a college freshman, sophomore, or junior.
Remaining School Years: Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before undergraduate college graduation.
Enrollment Timeline: If not yet in college, begin the freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2027 - 2028 college academic school year.
GPA: As of the most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (or be in "good standing" if no GPA is provided).

Application Process

To enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest, applicants must complete a Quarterly Contest application. The contest is divided into four separate Quarterly Contests, one for each calendar quarter of 2026:

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Q-1 Contest: January 1, 2026 - March 31, 2026
Q-2 Contest: April 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Q-3 Contest: July 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026
Q-4 Contest: October 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026

A separate Quarterly Contest application must be submitted for each Quarterly Contest that an applicant enters.

Essay Requirements

Applicants can choose to submit either a written essay or a video essay. The essay topic must be an individual the applicant knows personally who lives in their community.

Written Essay

Length: Must be 500 words or less.
Format: Can be written directly in the application or copied and pasted into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay

Length: Must be no more than 3 minutes in length.
Size: No larger than 1 GB.
File Formats: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV.
Content Restrictions: Must not contain music of any kind or display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material. Must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view.
Submission: Must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. DVDs or other physical forms of submission are not accepted.
Filming Guidelines: Shoot video horizontally, use a tripod, avoid using zoom, and use natural lighting.

Judging Criteria and Prize Details

Eligible entries are grouped according to the form of entry (written essay or video essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges who are not affiliated with Regions. Four Quarterly Contest Prizes are awarded in each Quarterly Contest: two for the Written Essay Entry Group and two for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to the winner’s designated accredited college.

The Quarterly Contest prizes must be fully used by the end of the 2027 - 2028 college academic school year and must be used toward tuition and other undergraduate college-related expenses at an accredited college.

Additional Information

No Purchase Necessary: No purchase or banking relationship is required to enter or win. A purchase or banking relationship will not increase your chances of winning.
Void Where Prohibited: The contest is void where prohibited.
Limit: There is a limit of one entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.

Regions Bank's Commitment to Community Investment

Regions Bank's commitment extends beyond scholarships to encompass a range of philanthropic initiatives aimed at enhancing community well-being. These initiatives include:

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Employee Assistance/Relief Funds: Providing confidential, tax-free financial support to employees facing hardship.
Employee Workplace Giving: Enabling employees to make tax-deductible donations to nonprofits.
Disaster Relief: Donating to trusted organizations to support rapid delivery of life-saving help and long-term recovery efforts.
Volunteerism: Managing, tracking, and rewarding employee volunteering with incentives like dollars-for-doers grants and volunteer time off.
Matching Gifts: Amplifying the impact of employee contributions by financially matching them.
Charitable Funds Disbursement: Ensuring accurate, efficient, and timely disbursement of donations to qualified and vetted charities.
Scholarship Program Management: Improving educational opportunities and building a better-educated workforce with tax-free scholarship award program management.
Corporate Philanthropy and Grantmaking: Controlling all grantmaking and application processes in the same place as other giving and volunteering programs.

Regions Bank also focuses on social responsibility strategy and benchmarking, helping to enhance giving strategies with advice in developing programs to advance community investment goals. This holistic approach demonstrates a deep-seated commitment to fostering positive change and driving community development.

Tips for Creating a Compelling Essay

Crafting a compelling essay, whether written or video, is crucial for maximizing your chances of winning the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship. Here are some tips to help you create an impactful submission:

Choose an Inspiring Individual: Select someone who has genuinely influenced your life and whose actions resonate with your values.
Tell a Story: Share specific anecdotes and examples that illustrate the impact the individual has had on you and your community.
Be Authentic: Let your genuine voice and personality shine through. The judges are looking for authenticity and sincerity.
Highlight Your Aspirations: Connect the individual's influence to your own goals and aspirations. Explain how their example has motivated you to pursue your dreams and make a difference.
Follow the Guidelines: Adhere to all the specified requirements, including word count or video length limits, file formats, and content restrictions.
Technical Considerations for Video Essays:
- Lighting and Sound: Ensure your video has good lighting and clear audio. Natural lighting is preferable, and using an external microphone can greatly improve sound quality.
- Visuals: Keep the visuals engaging and avoid shaky camera work. Use a tripod for stability.
- Editing: Edit your video to create a polished and professional final product.

Resources for Further Information

For complete Contest details, including eligibility, essay requirements, and Official Rules, visit regions.com/ridingforward.

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