BURNSVILLE, Minn.–Firefly Credit Union members received more than $13,000 in scholarships during the 2017-18 academic year. Scholarships were awarded for Firefly’s Great Savings Challenge as well as the credit union’s Community Cares Scholarship. In addition, one member received an award from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council (FSC).
Four students were awarded $1,000 scholarships as part of the credit union’s fourth annual Great Savings Challenge. The challenge was open to all members who plan to attend post-secondary education during the 2018-19 academic year. Recipients included Elizabeth McCormick (Burnsville), Himal Purani (Shakopee), Alek Sundberg (Arden Hills), and Lyndsey Weaver-Lang (Fridley).
Throughout the school year, participants were asked to complete a variety of activities to explore the real costs of higher education and find a personal finance tool to track and analyze their spending habits. Participants were also asked to be diligent and save for their future education expenses throughout challenge. The recipients each received a scholarship, which was a savings match of up to $1,000.
“Calculating and taking into account all the expenses related to higher education was shocking,” said Purani. “Since you make payments for tuition in small increments, you don't realize how quickly it all adds up unless you write it all down and keep track of it.”
Firefly also provided scholarship dollars in collaboration with Memorial Blood Centers (MBC), awarding three Burnsville High School (BHS) seniors,Jake Chudecke, Kaylee Martynow, and Elizabeth McCormick for their efforts in coordinating three blood drives. Both Firefly and MBC donated $10 for each unit of blood donated at the ‘Life Illuminated’ Blood Drives held at BHS throughout the 2017-18 academic year.
In total, the drives collected 340 units of blood – leading to a total of $6,800 in scholarship dollars.
Additionally, Firefly member E. Ornelas was selected from more than 800 applicants throughout the state based off of school, community involvement, and the essay prompt: “What is your best-ever consumer experience? Where was it? What made it so great?”
“I was amazed at how quickly I was recognized after those initial visits…” said Ornelas. “I always felt welcome there, even when they were busy, or I made special requests, or when the midwest winter weather made the outside world cold and unfriendly.”