SELCO Credit Union awards $77,500 in college scholarships to 21 students, including five from Central Oregon

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KTVZ) — SELCO Community Credit Union’s annual scholarship program received a record number of applications in 2024 after opening the program to continuing, vocational, and nontraditional students for the first time. In the end, 21 deserving students were awarded $77,500 in scholarships, including five recipients from Central Oregon.

SELCO awarded 20 scholarships to eligible students worth $3,500 each, an increase from $2,500 each in 2023. In addition, SELCO awarded the $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship to Victor Yanez, a Lane County student who demonstrated excellence in education, leadership, or civic responsibility despite adversity or lack of opportunity. The award for the Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship increased 50% from the $5,000 that was awarded in 2023.

Now in its 34th year, SELCO’s scholarship program was reimagined for 2024 as part of the Oregon credit union’s new SELCO Steps Up program, which aims to create positive, innovative, and lasting change through community giving, volunteerism, and educational support.

One of the key goals for SELCO Steps Up is to evolve its programs to meet the changing needs of the community, including a shifting academic landscape. Once limited to high school seniors headed to two- or four-year colleges, the scholarship program was expanded to accept applications from vocational school students, nontraditional students returning to school, and those already attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school.

The response was immediate. SELCO received a record number of applications in 2024, doubling the total from 2023.

“This year’s applicants were as impressive as any group we’ve seen,” said Craig Carpenter, SELCO’s Senior Vice President of Lending & Business Banking. “The growth in interest this year is exciting, and the Selection Panel had a challenging time selecting the most deserving recipients. Ultimately, the increase in interest showed us that these scholarships are keeping up with students’ priorities. These students have exciting futures ahead of them, and it’s rewarding to help give them a running start.”

To qualify, applicants must be a SELCO member or the immediate family of a SELCO member. Applicants must also hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 from a four-year accredited high school or have earned a GED, and plan to attend a vocational school or an accredited two- or four-year college/university.

The 2024 SELCO Scholarship recipients from Central Oregon are:

$3,500 SELCO Scholarships

SELCO started its scholarship program in 1991 as an important component of its mission to help members reach their financial and educational goals. In the past five years alone, SELCO has awarded nearly $300,000 through this program. Unlike many scholarships, these funds can be used for educational expenses beyond tuition.

Each recipient will be invited to attend a ceremony at SELCO headquarters in Springfield on Thursday, May 23. For more on the recipients, visit www.selco.org/steps-up/scholarships/2024-recipients/.

About SELCO Steps Up:

The SELCO Steps Up program aims to create positive, innovative, lasting change through volunteerism, resource support, and collaboration with community partners. In 2023 alone, SELCO reinvested more than $250,000 in the communities it serves through educator grants, scholarships, and impact-driven sponsorships. SELCO staff also committed a total of more than 1,000 volunteer hours in 2023. As a credit union founded by teachers, education is a cornerstone of these efforts, with a focus on removing barriers to financial literacy. By empowering individuals and families to achieve financial well-being, SELCO strives to build a strong foundation for all its members and neighbors. Visit selco.org/steps-up to learn more.

About SELCO Community Credit Union:

Founded nearly 90 years ago by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longest-standing Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.7 billion in assets, SELCO provides its member-owners with exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483.