Scholarships 

This scholarship recognizes students who strengthen their communities through service, advocacy, and efforts that make life better for those around them.

For this category, students are invited to imagine bold, meaningful, and achievable ideas that promote financial well‑being in their local communities. Whether it involves teaching financial skills, using technology to remove barriers, helping families save more effectively, or building partnerships that support neighborhoods, your idea can spark real and lasting change.

We aim to award scholarships in each category, though the number of recipients per category may vary depending on the applications received.

What Your Proposal Can Explore

Your project may focus on any creative or community‑centered idea related to financial well‑being, including:

• Technology: apps, digital tools, or platforms that improve financial understanding or access
• Financial education: workshops, school programs, peer‑to‑peer teaching, or social media campaigns
• Volunteer or community projects: youth‑led efforts that support saving, budgeting, or financial confidence
• Innovative savings strategies: creative ways to encourage young people to save or invest
• Community partnerships: collaborating with nonprofits, schools, libraries, or small businesses

We encourage ideas that are creative, inclusive, realistic, and inspired by your lived experience.

Submission Requirements

Your application must include:

1. A written proposal (500–750 words) explaining your idea
2. Why this idea matters to you and your community
3. How young people would participate or benefit
4. The potential impact your project could have
5. Optional: sketches, mockups, videos, or visual aids that help explain your concept

Judging Criteria

Your proposal will be evaluated on:

1. Creativity & Innovation

• Presents a fresh, original concept
• Uses creative thinking to address financial well‑being challenges
• Shows imagination while staying connected to real community needs

2. Community Impact

• Identifies who will benefit from your idea
• Demonstrates strong potential to improve financial well‑being
• Addresses real barriers or opportunities
• Shows meaningful, lasting impact

3. Feasibility & Clarity

• Realistic and achievable for a student‑led project
• Clear, well‑organized, and logically presented
• Includes practical steps for implementation

4. Alignment with Credit Union Values

• Reflects the mission of “people helping people”
• Emphasizes cooperation, accessibility, and empowerment
• Promotes ethical, inclusive financial practices

5. Personal Connection & Leadership

• Shows your motivation and lived experience
• Demonstrates initiative, passion, and thoughtful planning
• Reflects how you would help bring the idea to life

This scholarship recognizes students who use creativity and problem‑solving to bring fresh ideas, positive change, and meaningful impact to their communities.

For this category, students will imagine a better world in 2036 and express their vision through a creative medium of their choice—writing, artwork, video, design, music, poetry, or mixed media. Your submission should illustrate a positive change you hope to see and how it could shape people’s lives.

We aim to award scholarships in each category, though the number of recipients per category may vary depending on the applications received.

What Your Submission Can Explore

Your idea may focus on any uplifting or future‑minded concept, including:

• Technology: tools or inventions that make life easier, safer, or more connected
• Mental health & well‑being: ideas that support emotional wellness
• Environmental solutions: sustainability, conservation, clean energy
• Education: more inclusive, engaging, or equitable learning experiences
• Social issues: community building, equity, belonging, fairness
• Or any other vision that reflects your creativity and imagination

This is your opportunity to share your artistic voice, optimism, and vision for change.

Submission Options

Choose one of the following creative formats:

• Essay or written piece (500–750 words)
• Visual artwork (drawing, painting, digital art, photography, mixed media)
• Short video (1–3 minutes)
• Design concept (poster, illustration, mockup, or prototype)

Required Artist/Author Statement (150–200 words)

Your statement should briefly explain:

• The future change you imagine
• Why it matters to you
• The message or emotion behind your creative work

Judging Criteria

Your submission will be evaluated on:

1. Creativity & Originality

• Unique thinking and imaginative concepts
• Fresh artistic or narrative approach
• Ideas that go beyond traditional solutions

2. Vision for a Better Future

• Clear description of a positive change in the world by 2036
• Insight into how this change benefits others
• A thoughtful, hopeful, inspiring outlook

3. Expression & Craftsmanship

• Strong execution in your chosen medium
• Clear storytelling, composition, technique, or delivery
• Ability to communicate meaning or emotion effectively

4. Feasibility or Conceptual Depth

• Realistic or thoughtfully developed idea
• Understanding of the issue being explored
• Strong reasoning behind your envisioned future

5. Personal Connection & Voice

• Statement shows motivation, authenticity, and reflection
• Work expresses your values or lived experiences
• Clear personal perspective

This scholarship recognizes students who promote kindness, safety, and support by taking meaningful steps to prevent bullying in their communities.

Bullying affects young people nationwide—online, at school, at work, and in everyday life. Your efforts to stand up, speak out, and create safer environments truly matter. Whether you organized a school‑wide campaign, led peer support groups, created educational content, or built safe spaces for classmates, this scholarship honors meaningful action and real impact.

We aim to award scholarships in each category, though the number of recipients per category may vary depending on the applications received.

About the Scholarship

This scholarship is designed for students who have:

• Actively participated in or
• Created effective anti‑bullying initiatives in their school or community

Students must submit an essay or video describing their anti‑bullying initiative. Submissions should highlight your motivation, actions taken, and the impact you created.

Your submission may include:

• Your story: Why this work matters to you
• Action steps: What you created, led, or organized
• Awareness efforts: How you educated or engaged others
• Outcomes: What changed as a result of your project
• Longevity: Whether it was a one‑time event or an ongoing program
• Optional Bonus: A TikTok or Instagram Reel promoting your initiative

Special Opportunity: Vigil Family Project Donation

In addition to the $5,000 scholarship, the Vigil family will award a $1,000 donation to help expand one student‑led anti‑bullying project.

Important details:

• Selection is at the discretion of the scholarship committee
• Funds will be donated to a school or 501(c)(3) nonprofit (not individuals)
• Students must include a project budget to be considered
• This $1,000 donation is separate from the scholarship award

This is a unique chance to grow your project and deepen your impact.

Submission Requirements

Your essay or video submission must include:

1. Background Statement

• Why you are passionate about bullying prevention
• Any personal experiences that inspired your involvement

2. Initiative Description

• The actions you took or the program you created
• How you involved others in your project

3. Awareness‑Building Strategies

• How you spread your message
• Materials used (attach or link when possible)

4. Results and Impact

• What happened because of your efforts
• Participation numbers, feedback, or observed changes

5. Sustainability

• Was this a one‑time initiative?
• Or an ongoing program with future plans?

6. (Optional) Social Media Content

• A TikTok or Instagram Reel promoting anti‑bullying awareness

7. (Required for $1,000 Donation Consideration)

• A project budget explaining estimated expenses and how funds would be used

Judging Criteria

Your submission will be evaluated on:

1. Leadership & Initiative

• Meaningful involvement or leadership
• Initiative, responsibility, and personal ownership
• Clear explanation of your role

2. Impact & Results

• Positive outcomes in your school or community
• Evidence of increased awareness or improved climate
• Reach and effectiveness of your efforts

3. Creativity & Strategy

• Innovative approaches to addressing bullying
• Engaging awareness methods, tools, or materials
• Thoughtful outreach and communication

4. Clarity & Quality of Submission

• Strong storytelling, organization, and clarity
• Quality writing or video production
• Clear communication of motivation and results

5. Sustainability & Future Potential

• Long‑term vision for your initiative
• Potential for continued or expanded impact
• For donation applicants: a realistic, thoughtful project budget