HARRISBURG, Penn.–PSECU has announced the winners of its 23rdannual scholarship program. Each year, the program awards six scholarships, valued at up to $8,000 each for a total of $48,000, to graduating high school seniors to help reduce the financial burden of pursuing postsecondary education. Winners are selected based on their academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and critical thinking and writing skills.
“Education is a pillar of our community outreach at PSECU. From providing financial education resources through our WalletWorks program to offering scholarships for students to pursue their dreams through college, we understand the importance of education in obtaining financial success,” said PSECU Financial Education Manager Sara Weiser, who oversees the credit union’s scholarship program. “Since we started our scholarship program in 1997, we’ve disbursed more than $638,000 in scholarships to 131 students. That is something we’re very proud of because we know that it is helping young students find opportunity, reach their goals, and prepare for the future.”
PSECU received 603 applications.
As long as scholarship requirements, including maintaining a minimum GPA, are met, each winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship per year that is renewable for up to four years, for a total scholarship value of $8,000 per student.
"Credit unions exist to create shared financial opportunities through members' collective resources, and this scholarship program is an example of how PSECU does just that," Weiser added. "On behalf of our members and our employees, congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients.”
3 Students Awarded Laptops and More
Separately, the three graduating senior participants of the School of Business & Industry Prep Program at Harrisburg High School, a rigorous course of study designed to prepare high-performing students with real-world business know-how and experience, were each awarded a laptop, carrying bag, Microsoft Office license, and printer to help them on their journey toward future success by PSECU.
The resources were presented to the students at the program’s annual year-end awards dinner and induction ceremony held at the Harrisburg Hilton.
“The aim of the SBI program is to orient students to the real world of business and industry by teaching them basic but essential concepts, while at the same time developing and enhancing academic and life skills that are fundamental to their success,” said Cynthia Spencer, Instructor and Facilitator of the SBI program. “Our ultimate goal is to produce scholars who will be better prepared for the future and who will be able to meet the demands of our highly competitive society. The resources that PSECU provides to program graduates bolster our efforts to position the students for ongoing excellence.”
“At PSECU, we follow a digital-first model, meaning that we don’t invest in branches on every corner but rather in digital technologies that allow our members to manage their finances whenever and however they want from their mobile device, phone, or computer. We believe in the power of technology because we’ve seen how it has improved the service we provide our more than 450,000 members, and we know it will have many benefits for the graduates of Harrisburg High’s School of Business & Industry Prep Program, too,” added PSECU Vice President of Human Resources Cathy Tama-Troutman, who spoke at the event. “We’re so pleased to have the opportunity to share these technology resources with Jeffrey, Hailei, and Iyanna. We wish them success in their educational pursuits and future endeavors.”
A longtime supporter of the SBI program at Harrisburg High School, PSECU has provided laptops to graduating scholars for more than 15 years. This year’s laptop and technology contribution totaled $5,681.94.
“Credit unions like PSECU follow the ‘people helping people’ philosophy. We believe in working for the betterment of our members and non-members alike – to make our communities stronger through things such as financial education, volunteer work, and support of worthy causes like Harrisburg High School’s SBI program and its graduates,” explained Kim Gorham, PSECU Director of Staff Services and SBI Advisory Board member. “We’re proud to play a part in preparing local students for their post-graduation plans, and we wish them all the best.”