This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of financial technology (FinTech) applications among rural residents, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance financial inclusion. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study incorporates innovation awareness and financial awareness to develop a conceptual framework. Using structural equation modeling with data from 386 rural respondents, the study finds that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, innovation awareness, and financial awareness positively and significantly affect the intention to adopt FinTech applications. Perceived usefulness also mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention. The findings suggest that policymakers should focus on improving financial literacy and awareness through education and training programs, while FinTech products should be designed to be user-friendly for rural populations. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation in rural areas through incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation can promote FinTech adoption. The study highlights the importance of addressing unique challenges faced by rural residents, such as limited access to technology and financial literacy, to ensure equitable access to FinTech services. The extended TAM model is shown to be suitable for studying FinTech adoption in rural contexts, providing a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding and predicting FinTech adoption intentions in rural areas. The study contributes to the literature by identifying key determinants of FinTech adoption in rural settings and offering practical implications for promoting financial inclusion through FinTech.This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of financial technology (FinTech) applications among rural residents, aiming to bridge the digital divide and enhance financial inclusion. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study incorporates innovation awareness and financial awareness to develop a conceptual framework. Using structural equation modeling with data from 386 rural respondents, the study finds that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, innovation awareness, and financial awareness positively and significantly affect the intention to adopt FinTech applications. Perceived usefulness also mediates the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention. The findings suggest that policymakers should focus on improving financial literacy and awareness through education and training programs, while FinTech products should be designed to be user-friendly for rural populations. Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation in rural areas through incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation can promote FinTech adoption. The study highlights the importance of addressing unique challenges faced by rural residents, such as limited access to technology and financial literacy, to ensure equitable access to FinTech services. The extended TAM model is shown to be suitable for studying FinTech adoption in rural contexts, providing a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding and predicting FinTech adoption intentions in rural areas. The study contributes to the literature by identifying key determinants of FinTech adoption in rural settings and offering practical implications for promoting financial inclusion through FinTech.