RALEIGH, N.C.–With the 2019 renewal of the SECU “People Helping People” High School and Community College Scholarship programs, the member-funded SECU Foundation said it has made a substantial commitment to North Carolina’s college-bound students of nearly $5 million. This year’s grant renewal brings the Foundation’s collective financial commitment to nearly $60 million since the program launched 15 years ago, the SECU Foundation reported.
The high school program provides a $10,000 four-year scholarship to eligible graduating public high school seniors who are either members of the Credit Union or eligible for membership through a parent or guardian. The scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from regular public high schools and three charter high schools in North Carolina who will be attending one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System. The community college program provides two $5,000 scholarships to each of the 58 community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System.
Recipients are selected by the scholarship selection committee of the school district or community college. Awards are based on a candidate’s embodiment of the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” recognizing leadership, excellence of character, integrity and community involvement, along with an overall academic grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Hannah Thompson of Pelham, N.C. received a $10,000 high school scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2018. In her note of appreciation to SECU members she said, “Receiving this scholarship has helped me and my family, as it will allow me the financial freedom to pursue my goals and follow my dream of becoming an educator. After graduation, I plan to return to my home of Caswell County being the best educator I can be. I am thankful for this opportunity I have been given and look forward to giving back to the community what it has given me.”