SELCO gives flexible Scholarships to Bend Students
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- SELCO Community Credit Union recently awarded a total of $77,500 in scholarships to 21 students across Oregon, including two students from Bend.
The annual program aims to help students pursue higher education by addressing the rising cost of school and allowing funds to be used for various education-related expenses beyond tuition. The credit union provided 20 standard scholarships, valued at $3,500, and a single additional $7,500 'Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship'. Recipients were honored last week at a luncheon held at SELCO's headquarters in Springfield.
SELCO started its scholarship program in 1991 as a component of its mission to help members reach their financial and educational goals. In the past three years alone, SELCO has awarded more than $230,000 to students. The scholarship program is part of the SELCO Steps Up philanthropy initiative. SELCO Community Credit Union was founded in 1936 by a group of teachers.
The scholarships are notable for their flexibility, as the funds do not have to be used exclusively for tuition. They can cover any education-related expenses, such as books and school supplies and can be applied to different institutions.
Kathleen Henshaw, Branch Manager at SELCO's Old Mill location, spoke on how they scholarships are used. "Rather than just being for like a four year college, these funds can be used for a two year program or even vocational school. So it just frees up a lot of options that don't always have, funding from outside. ”
Recipients were selected from a large, competitive pool that included graduating seniors, as well as vocational, continuing and nontraditional students. Olivia Sorensen, SELCO's Community Development Supervisor, commented on the applicant field.
Today's students are pursuing a wide range of paths and our scholarship program is designed to meet them where they are. The depth of this year's applicant pool made the selection process incredibly competitive and recipients reflect the determination, resilience and ambition we see across our communities.
To qualify for the scholarships, applicants must be a SELCO member or an immediate family member of a SELCO member. They also need a GED or a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, or a 3.0 GPA in their last college term. Applicants must plan to attend a vocational school or an accredited two- or four-year college or university. The program recently expanded eligibility to include vocational, continuing and nontraditional students, in addition to high school seniors.
Two of this year's recipients are from Bend. Luis Castro Hernandez will attend Oregon State University-Cascades and Tavia Zepnewski will attend the University of New Mexico. Peyton Caldwell of Eugene received the $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship and will attend Oregon State University.
