Apply Now
High Rise Financial began offering its Financial Education PSA Scholarship in hopes that today’s students would begin to think critically about the steps they could take to improve their financial health.
Of this year’s applicants, Alexander Duncan Hepburn IV, who prefers to go by Xander, displayed a grasp of financial literacy that made him stand out among his peers.
Hepburn is currently pursuing a degree in Economics & Accounting at the University of California Santa Barbara. Our team, which specializes in providing legal funding for personal injury lawsuits, applauds his commitment to financial health and is pleased to award him $1,500 to dedicate toward his tuition and other academic expenses.
Xander’s Essay Highlights Concerns About Instant Gratification
In 2020, James Clear shared an analysis of a 1972 study called “Cognitive and attentional mechanisms in delay of gratification.” Clear describes a scenario, which Hepburn cites, where a practitioner takes a child into a private room, offers the child a marshmallow, goes to leave the room, and then strikes a deal.
If the child can wait to eat their marshmallow until the practitioner returns to the room, then the child will receive a second marshmallow. If the child doesn’t wait, they won’t get another reward.
In the original study, authors W. Michel, E.B. Ebbesen, and A.R. Zeiss revisited their participants several years later and found that children who could resist the urge to eat their marshmallows displayed more personal success than their less patient peers. Clear transcribes these findings into a more immediate thesis: those people who wait for their rewards will enjoy greater spoils.
Instant Gratification in the World of Finance
In his PSA, Hepburn argues that it takes discipline to teach one’s self to ignore the siren song of instant gratification. He notes that it’s common to talk about the benefits of patience when working out or dieting but that his peers have let the connection between patience and financial gain go unaddressed.
Borrowing a quote from Brian Tracy, Hepburn states that people who make a point to financially discipline themselves are more likely to benefit from greater rewards in the long term.
He also goes on to state that practicing financial discipline requires more than making a budget–especially when sources like NerdWallet reveal that 84% of budget-makers still overspend.
Instead, Hepburn declares that his peers need to spend more time thinking about their future stability as opposed to the “instant purchase pleasure” that comes with pressing “buy” on a full cart of things they don’t need. He argues that if his peers take the time to weigh purchase pleasure against security and wealth, they’ll start to choose the latter.
To apply for free, call (877) 735-0016
Increasing Awareness About Compound Interest
Hepburn’s PSA goes on to argue that financial success requires more than sound budgeting. He also emphasizes the power of compound interest. He recommends that young people interested in securing their financial future invest their extra money in high-yield savings accounts or S&P 500s.
In his own words, “Your money is there for the future and experiences growth, increasing your net worth.” He finds a parallel school of thought touted by the late billionaire Charlie Munger, whom he quotes saying, “Great investing requires a lot of delayed gratification.”
Coming to Finance with a Desire to Help Others
How does a young man come to such a comprehensive understanding of modern finances? Hepburn notes that finance has always been his passion, even though he understands that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
In his own words, he “likes the idea of making a message that communicates the most important financial principles to people unfamiliar with them.” That interest drew him to apply for High Rise Financial’s scholarship. “Personal investing is important for everyone,” he says, “and I enjoyed the process of creating something educational.”
He also cites investor Peter Thiel as one of the forces that inspired him to look toward a financially sound future.
What to Expect from Xander Hepburn in the Future
Hepburn currently creates financial projections for two startups. With his help, one of those startups has secured $125K.
He’s currently pursuing a degree in Economics & Accounting at the University of California Santa Barbara after transferring from his previous college. He hopes to use his education to make a career in public accounting before pursuing his M.B.A. After he finishes his second degree, he hopes to transition into Venture Capital.
Complete a Free Application form now
About High Rise Financial’s Financial Education PSA Scholarship
High Rise Financial’s Financial Education PSA Scholarship encourages undergraduate and graduate students to think critically about an area of financial literacy that interests them.
The scholarship application process prompts students to create a public service announcement (PSA) encouraging their peers to take a critical approach to their long-term financial health.
Students applying for the Financial Education PSA Scholarship must create a video explaining the area of financial literacy that interests them. That video must address the student’s peers and persuade them to start engaging with better financial practices.
High Rise Financial and its scholarship selection committee reserve up to three months to choose a scholarship winner after the application deadline passes. The team’s winning student will receive $1,500 to dedicate toward their continued studies. Students can visit the scholarship’s terms and conditions page for more information.
A Round of Applause for Xander Hepburn!
Xander Hepburn’s scholarship video depicts a young man with a sound understanding of modern finances. He presents his advice in plain English and displays a financial literacy that will undoubtedly serve him well after he graduates. For now, High Rise Financial is thrilled to offer this bright young man the support he needs to continue pursuing his degree.
The team once again applauds Hepburn’s achievements and looks forward to seeing how he puts his financial literacy to work in the future.
Students interested in applying for the 2025 Financial Education PSA Scholarship can keep an eye out on High Rise Financial’s website for more information about this year’s application criteria.
Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.
