Traditional & Continuing Education Scholarship 2025

Ascentra Credit Union offers Ten $1,000 scholarships to assist members planning to further their education beyond high school or to continue or return to their higher education journey.

The scholarships are as follows:

• Five, $1,000 scholarships awarded to high school student members planning to enter college.

• Five, $1,000 scholarships awarded to continuing-education student members age 19 or over planning to attend higher education.

Eligibility

• The high school scholarship is open to any high school student classified as either a junior or senior who is a member, with a projected graduation at the completion of the following fall or spring semester.

• The continuing education scholarship will be awarded to a member age 19 years or older entering an accredited undergraduate or graduate program.

• Entrants must have an account in their own name and be "members in good standing" at Ascentra Credit Union. See Ascentra membership eligibility.

• Ascentra Credit Union directors, employees and their family members are ineligible to participate in the scholarship competition. 

Entry Requirements

• Entrants for the high school and continuing education scholarships are required to write an essay of 400 to 500 words regarding the following topic: How can credit unions leverage technology to better serve the financial needs of today's young consumer?

• The essay must be the original work of the entrant. Entrants may use credit union reference materials and contact credit union officials for background information.

• A business-style resume must be submitted by each high school and continuing education scholarships entrant. No photos should be included.

The resume should not exceed two pages in length, and at a minimum, contain the following information:

• Entrant's name

• Address

• Phone number

• Educational information (including high school attended)

• Subjects emphasized throughout entrant's education

• Overall grade point average from the most recent two semesters or last three quarters (if available)

• ACT/SAT scores (if available)

• Honors and awards

• Extra-curricular activities

• Continuing education entrants should submit any past college education, major or degree and overall grade point average. 

All scholarship entries become the exclusive property of Ascentra Credit Union.

Administrative/Award Procedures

• High school scholarship winners must begin studies within one-year of graduation from high school or may be required to forfeit the award in the absence of extenuating circumstance.

• Continuing education scholarship winners must begin studies within one-year after the award of the scholarship.

• High school winners must be enrolled as full-time students at any two-year or four-year college approved for the Guaranteed Student Loan program.

• Continuing education winners must be enrolled two-year or four-year college approved for the Guaranteed Student Loan program and is not required to be enrolled full-time.

• Scholarship funds will be held by Ascentra Credit Union until written verification is received from the college or vocational school registrar where the student is enrolled. At that time, the winner's share draft will be made payable to both the winner and the college and forwarded to the winner’s college or vocational school.

• Funds are to be used only for tuition, room and board, books and educational or trade associated supplies including student housing.

Authority of Ascentra Credit Union

• The credit union has ultimate authority to amend any of the above rules to ensure fairness in the award of the scholarships.

• Any questions regarding the scholarship should be addressed in writing to Ascentra Scholarship Program 2019 Grant Street, Bettendorf, IA 52722.

• Judges will be selected by Ascentra Credit Union. Results will be tabulated by credit union staff and declared. All decisions of Ascentra Credit Union are final. Winners will be announced in the July issue of The Teller: Member News printed newsletter, e-Newsletter, website, Ascentra social media and a news release will be made available to local media.
• Each judge will award a maximum of 60 points to the essay, a maximum of 20 points to the resume, and a maximum of 15 points to the profile/background.

Scores for the essay will be based on

1. originality
2. clarity
3. meaningful content
4. spelling
5. neatness
6. grammar and punctuation

The resume will be judged on the following:

1. presentation
2. potential of the student future success

Profile/Background

1. extracurricular activities
2. volunteer services
3. work experience