MIRAMAR, Fla.– Tropical Financial Credit Union has awarded five $1,000 scholarships to local students headed to college in the fall. The five received their checks during a ceremony at the credit union’s headquarters. This is the second year for the program designed to help students further their education. Two of the recipients are from Palm Beach County, two from Broward and one is from Miami-Dade.
In addition to these four students who graduated high school this past spring, Tropical Financial also gave out one non-traditional scholarship— a new category for adults already out of high school, but who want to continue their education. It’s available to someone, for example, going back to school after being in the workforce or someone trying to obtain a graduate degree. The inaugural non-traditional scholarship went to Crystal Reed of Opa-locka who will be getting her grad degree from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania.
“I want to congratulate all of this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Rich Helber, president/ CEO of Tropical Financial Credit Union. “By helping young people pay for their education, we are starting them on a path to one day becoming financially independent. As a credit union, assisting people achieve financial prosperity is one of our top priorities.”
All of the applicants were required to submit a 500-word essay highlighting their educational goals, personal objectives and outlining ways in which Tropical Financial has, or could, help them reach financial goals. Other factors considered are community involvement, charitable works and extracurricular activities. To be eligible, the applicants had to live in the tri-county area, have a high school GPA of 2.5 or better and already be enrolled in an accredited college or vocational program.
Below, from right, Risa Suarez (mother of Jordan Suarez, Scholarship Recipient from West Palm Beach; Cortland Brigham, West Palm Beach, Scholarship Recipient; Joshua Davis, Tamarac, Scholarship Recipient; Rich Helber, President/CEO, Tropical Financial Credit Union; Jose Oliva, Miramar, Scholarship Recipient; Crystal Reed, Opa-locka, Non-Traditional Scholarship Recipient.