Inspired by a financial aid presentation at Cal State Fullerton’s summer orientation, Lexys Salcido registered for and was selected as the winner of a $10,000 U.S. Bank scholarship to fund her tuition and educational expenses.
“This award means so much not just to me, but to my family,” said Salcido, a first-generation college student who is majoring in biological science. “It’s an incredible opportunity to pursue my education with significantly less financial stress. I was able to shift my focus, so that I could get involved on campus and start working toward my goals early on.”
Salcido was one of seven college students from across the country to receive a scholarship as part of the 2025 U.S. Bank Student Scholarship Sweepstakes. She was a first-year student when she received the award, and she qualified for the prize by completing more than 75 financial education modules through U.S. Bank’s Zogo mobile app.
“This scholarship not only provides funding, but it gives students easy access to financial education, while offering a real way to earn money for college without a complex application,” said Katharine Stofer, corporate social responsibility project manager at U.S. Bank. “We’re excited for Lexys and look forward to seeing how this scholarship supports her. We wish her continued success as she builds strong financial habits and works toward her goals.”
During the 2025-26 academic year, CSUF’s Scholarships Office oversaw the disbursement of more than $18 million in scholarship funding to 5,116 students. Since the 2024-25 academic year, scholarships awarded to students have increased by more than $1.7 million.
Inspired by the role models in her life, Salcido aspires to a career in anesthesiology: “Growing up, I was surrounded by women who worked in healthcare, and that shifted my interest to science and the medical field. They shaped me into who I am today and made me want to become the first in my family to go to college.”
She chose Cal State Fullerton because of its industry-specific student clubs and organizations as well as its connections to top Southern California healthcare companies like Kaiser Permanente and Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
After attending the university’s signature Discoverfest event with more than 300 student organizations, she joined CSUF’s chapter of the Latino Medical Student Association, where she networked with industry professionals, including phlebotomists, surgeons and doctors.
“I learned about their firsthand experience in healthcare and the steps they took to get where they are,” Salcido explained. “It gave me an idea of what success could look like for me in the future.”
Salcido also used resources in the College of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Student Success Center, where she worked with an academic adviser to choose classes and programs that are best suited to her career goals and interests.
“Like many first-year students, Lexys entered CSUF unfamiliar with the policies, procedures, resources and opportunities available to her, but she consistently sought guidance and was eager to learn,” said Abraham Roldan, college adviser. “It’s always rewarding to work with students who take an active role in their own success, and Lexys has done exactly that throughout her first year.”