Vocational or Trades Scholarship 2025

Introduction

Ascentra Credit Union offers five $1,000 scholarships to members planning to pursue a career in a vocational or trade program.

The scholarship is as follows:

• Five, $1,000 scholarships awarded to members enrolled in a vocational or trade program or entering an internship program with a union or business.

Eligibility

• The vocational or trades scholarship will be awarded to members entering a vocational school or college as a student in a trades program or entering an internship program with a union or business.

• 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 vocational or trades scholarship will answer in less than 75 words the question: How do you plan to use the scholarship if awarded?

• Entrants must be pursuing a degree that enables them to learn a new trade and develop skills in these five categories: Agriculture Skilled Trades, Construction Skilled Trades, Transportation Skilled Trades, Service Skilled Trades, Manufacturing and Industrial Skilled Trades.

• Examples of skilled trades include Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Automotive Technician, Bus Operator, Train Operator, Nursing Assistant, Chef, Hairdresser, Farm or Ranch Manager, Agricultural Equipment Operator, Animal Husbandry and Animal Caretaker, Landscape Architects, Welder, Machinist, Tool and Die Maker, and more.

• Letter of recommendation from teacher or advisor must be submitted.

• Entrants must complete and sign online form.

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

Administrative/Award Procedures

• Winners must begin their program within one-year after the award of the scholarship.

• Winners must be enrolled at a vocational or trade school, or college in a trades-related program or enrolled in an apprenticeship program with a union or business.

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

• Funds are to be used for educational or trade-associated supplies including tools, personal protective equipment and/or transportation.

 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 assess the applicant based on their response to the prompt question and letter of recommendation submitted.