WYOMISSING ‒ Utilities Employees Credit Union is offering a pair of $3,000 scholarships for Pennsylvania students who plan to continue their education after high school.
The annual scholarship contest is being offered through a partnership with the Pennsylvania American Consumer Council. It’s open to those who attend or plan to attend college or a technical or trade school in the fall.
The credit union is asking applicants to expand their financial knowledge through the Utilities Employees Credit Union’s blog and then submit an entry based on what they have learned. The entries can be either a two- to three-minute video or a one- to two-page written summary.
The deadline for entries is May 1.
Two types of scholarships are available:
• A $3,000 utility/partner/company/association scholarship, which is available to students who have become a UECU member through an eligible family member who works for a utility/energy partner company or who joined through their own employment at a UECU utility/energy partner company while pursuing further education.
• A $3,000 Pennsylvania Student Scholarship, which is available to students who live or attend school in Pennsylvania and have become a UECU member through the Pennsylvania American Consumer Council. Students are required to become a member by completing a short membership application online at uecu.org/join by the contest deadline.
Utilities Employees Credit Union is accepting applications for two, $3,000 scholarships – open to Pennsylvania high school seniors, and students that attend or plan to attend college or a technical or trade school in the fall. This photo shows the credit union’s Wyomissing headquarters, 11 Meridian Blvd. (DONNA ROVINS – MEDIANEWS GROUP PHOTO)
How to Apply
Entrants are first asked to select two articles to read on UECU’s blog. After completing the reading, they are asked to make a video or write a summary explaining what they learned and how the lessons can be applied to the applicant’s life. Entries should Include a tip that can be shared with friends and family.
Entrants are then asked to visit uecu.org/scholarship to access and complete the online application. The application and entry must be submitted by May 1.
Entries will be judged on creativity, passion, clarity of thought and quality. The winners will be notified by email.
Courtney Perez (Courtesy Utilities Employees Credit Union)
“It’s exciting to learn more about our future workforce, Courtney Perez, UECU business relationship manager, said in a statement. “Reaching out to our applicants to relay the news that they have been awarded the scholarship brings me great joy. Knowing that the scholarship helps students and our future utility & energy workforce to expand their horizons is very rewarding. We look forward to this contest every year.”
The credit union, which has its headquarters in Wyomissing, Berks County, launched the scholarship contest in 2006. Over the past 20 years, UECU has continued to expand its membership and the contest, enabling more individuals to join the credit union and apply for an award, Erica Gates, UECU marketing communications supervisor said via email.
One of the credit union’s core values is continuous learning, a value it puts into action through the scholarship program, officials said.
“We created the scholarship program as a vehicle for reaching young adults. What we have discovered over the years is that many students approaching graduation time need financial guidance, from applying for student loans to opening their first checking account,” UECU said in an email.
The credit union tries to reach as many students and families as it can each year, to let them know about the scholarship, according to Gates, who said typically about 100 entries are received each year. This year, she said there has been an uptick in entries, with about 120 students starting the application process so far.