RALEIGH, N.C. – When the SECU Foundation “People Helping People” scholarship program was established in 2004, State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members made a substantial commitment to North Carolina students – allocating $4 million to help them further their education. For more than a decade, SECU members have held steadfast to the commitment through annual renewals of the scholarship program, which benefits both high school and community college students.
To date, the SECU Foundation reported it has awarded scholarships to approximately 4,700 North Carolinians, and with the 2015 program renewal, the monetary commitment will reach $46 million!
The high school funding provides a $10,000 four-year college scholarship to a graduating senior from each of North Carolina’s traditional public high schools and three charter high schools. Each scholarship is awarded for study at one of the 17 constituent campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Community college funding provides two $5,000 scholarships to each of the State’s 58 community colleges. Scholarship recipients are selected by each school’s scholarship selection committee. Students are chosen based on the Credit Union’s philosophy of “People Helping People,” recognizing community involvement, leadership skills, excellence of character and integrity. High schools, colleges and universities statewide continue to regard SECU Foundation’s scholarship program as a valued financial resource for students.