Photos by Ralph Freso/GCU News
Jack Edlin didn’t want to attend a Christian college.
But when he did enroll at Grand Canyon University, he started as a nursing major before switching to entrepreneurship his freshman year.
Edlin eventually found his niche in financial planning, taking him back to his days as a 12-year-old selling lemonade while maximizing every opportunity given to him through the Colangelo College of Business.
That decision is paying dividends for Edlin and GCU as he enters his senior year. Last month, he was named a recipient of a Schwab Advisor Services 2025 RIATA student scholarship – it stands for Registered Investment Advisor Talent Advantage.
“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting it,” Edlin said. “But I’m very grateful for it.”
Edlin, who is studying finance with an emphasis in financial planning, is believed to be the first GCU student to receive the scholarship and was one of only 15 recipients of the $15,000 scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year.
More than 600 students from more than 60 universities around the nation submitted applications, examined by leaders from Schwab Advisor Services’ RIA Talent Advantage Advocacy Board.
“That was the most rewarding thing for me,” Edlin said of representing GCU. “Not only was that exciting for me, but I’m very honored to represent GCU in that manner because I love it here and couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I take a lot of pride in being able to represent GCU.”
In addition to receiving financial help, Edlin and the other student recipients will be matched with independent RIA leaders for individual mentorship, including personal guidance and authentic exposure to the profession.
Edlin was among a small pool of students from the likes of such universities as Texas, Missouri, Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana.
“I put our finance program up against any other in the country,” Colangelo College of Business Dean John Kaites said. “I think we have one of the very best finance programs. I think our capabilities to teach students about how markets work, how the business of investing is done, how to care about customers, how to be intentional and teachable along the way, is what Jack exemplifies.”
Edlin credited a group of GCU professors, led by finance chair Dr. Joy Clady, and GCU’s Finance and Economics Club with allowing him to develop connections with Schwab representatives that “helped to propel my desire and passion for looking at careers in this field, and they’re the ones who helped encourage me to apply (for the scholarship).”
Clady wrote a letter of recommendation and taught one of Edlin’s favorite classes – Finance 375: Introduction to Investments.
“You learn everything about the market and dive into details, from estate planning to a whole range of topics,” said Edlin, who is enrolled in a taxation class this fall.
His interest in money started with trading stocks with his grandfather at 6:30 a.m. in his early teen years. During summers, he sold lemonade with his friends in triple-digit temperatures in his native Las Vegas, with a twist.
“I used to hold a sign that said, ‘I want to buy a share of Amazon stock’ instead of, ‘Hey, give me $1 for lemonade,’” Edlin said.
Acquiring Tesla stock fueled Edlin’s passion, although he wasn’t sure he’d continue to study finance or attend GCU.
“I actually didn’t want to go to GCU, believe it or not,” Edlin said. “I went to a Christian high school (Faith Christian), and I didn’t know if I wanted to go to a Christian college. I toured GCU, and I fell in love with it. It’s just such a remarkable place, with an amazing campus, and the community here is unreal.
“So I actually started out as a nursing major.”
But Edlin eventually found his zest in financial planning.
“I love being able to help others and also to be able to do something I’m really passionate about,” he said.
Last summer, Edlin was employed by a bank in Cape Cod, examining fraud analysis from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., then worked at a restaurant in the evenings and spent weekends working 12-hour days at a yacht club. That left him little time to enjoy one of his hobbies – fishing.
“I think I got it from my mom and grandpa,” said Edlin, who lived with his grandparents on the Cape last summer. “I just love to keep pursuing whatever plan God has for my life and represent Him through it all.”
In addition to his studies, he has advanced from director of finance to vice president of TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity. “I’m really excited to help out and continue the vision here at GCU of spreading ideas we’re sharing,” Edlin said.
His senior year is lining up nicely. The scholarship alleviated a financial burden while giving him the opportunity to work with a senior RIA who owns a large business and learn more about the industry.
Edlin already passed his Security Industry Essentials exam through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. GCU’s financial planning program offers the classes necessary for him to move closer to becoming a certified financial planner, and the Schwab program provides hours toward earning his CFP designation.
“That’s one of the main plans right now,” Edlin said. “I’m really excited to see what opportunities lie ahead.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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