
Dayton, Ohio – The City of Dayton is offering residents a final opportunity to take part in the Soar to Savings program, a unique financial empowerment initiative created under the Dayton Recovery Plan. This innovative program provides eligible participants the chance to earn $1,500 by completing a series of financial education classes and meeting other important requirements.
Soar to Savings was developed to support low-income families who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is a partnership between the City of Dayton, First Financial Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and the Dayton Metro Library. Its goal is to break the cycle of poverty through financial education, awareness, and equitable access to financial tools.
Two Sessions Remain to Qualify
As the program nears its end, only two class series remain, giving residents a final chance to take part and earn the full $1,500 reward. The remaining sessions will run from May 22 to June 12 and June 26 to July 17. Space is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to act quickly. “Don’t miss your chance to earn $1,500 through the Soar to Savings program,” officials emphasized.
To qualify, participants must meet specific criteria:
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Live within the City of Dayton limits.
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Use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to file their 2024 taxes.
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Qualify for the 2024 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
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Provide personal information to the City of Dayton, including name, address, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, email, and attendance records.
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Open a bank account with one of the assigned financial partners and share account details necessary for payment processing.
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Complete all required financial education classes.
The course content is designed to offer practical tips to empower positive financial behavior, including sessions on budgeting, saving, credit and debt, and banking basics. Classes will be led by professional financial educators from the partnering banks.
Once participants complete the financial education series and meet all qualifications, they will receive $1,500 deposited into their newly opened bank account with one of the designated institutions.
To apply or learn more, visit www.daytonohio.gov/1112/Soar-to-Savings. For direct assistance, contact Adama Diakhate at [email protected] or Lamonte Hall, Jr. at [email protected].