In 2019, SECU Foundation introduced the SECU Bridge to Career Program, designed to help cut out financial barriers for students, unemployed and underemployed adults, military veterans, and members of the National Guard seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials with marketable job skills which lead to sustainable wage careers within their local communities. State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Scholarship offers Two $5K /$1,250 per semester to college and high school students respectively. The scholarship award is renewable for the 2nd Year. This new program began in Fall 2022 and is set to fund awarded scholarships to eligible students at each of the 58 NC Community College campuses. Interested candidates should contact the Continuing Education Department at their local NC Community College for more information.
About SECU
The State Employees’ Credit Union [SECU] Foundation funded by SECU members established the “People Helping People” scholarship program in 2004 to assist students across North Carolina with their educational goals. Since its inception, the “People Helping People” scholarship program represents an annual commitment of over $5 million and a collective total of over $50 million since its initial scholarship funding began in 2005. As the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) expanded its presence into all 100 North Carolina counties, it recognized many community challenges faced by the state residents. SECU foundation initiative strives to help identify and address community issues and promote local and community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of education, housing, healthcare, and human services.
High School Scholarship Program
The members of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) established the People Helping People scholarship program to help North Carolina public high school students attend college to study for a period of four years. Each of the 115 North Carolina Local Education Agencies (LEAs)/School Districts will receive a minimum of one scholarship valued at $10,000 payable at $1,250 for up to eight consecutive semesters for a senior to attend one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System. Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by the LEA Scholarship Selection Committee provided they meet all eligibility criteria. No individual application will be reviewed by the Foundation, all scholarship recipient information must be submitted by the Scholarship Selection Committee at each LEA.
Community College Scholarship Program
The SECU Foundation has established this two-year scholarship program to assist students in each of the 58 community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System. There are 116 two-year scholarships valued at up to $5,000 each, available to be awarded. Each North Carolina community college will receive two scholarships, representing an annual financial commitment to the entire community college system of up to $580,000. No individual application will be reviewed by the Foundation, all scholarship recipient information must be submitted by the Scholarship Selection Committee at each LEA. Preference will be given to students with limited financial aid from other programs and whose parents or guardians and family members are public sector employees living and working in NC. Applicant must be a full-time student who is a high school graduate or has at least completed the General Education Development (GED) program, and enrolled in an associate degree, diploma or certificate program. Scholarship recipients in good academic standing may receive the scholarship up to a maximum of four consecutive semesters but must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours. Applicant must demonstrate scholastic achievement and maintain a 2.5 or higher grade point average on a 4.0 scale or attained a score of 3,000 on the GED test. Recipients must be eligible for in-state tuition and have demonstrated leadership, the excellence of character, integrity, and community involvement. The scholarship recipient must agree to continue at the community college were enrolled at the time of the scholarship award for the duration of the scholarship, for four consecutive fall/spring semesters or upon completion of a diploma program.
SECU Scholarship Requirements:
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be a U.S. citizen and a North Carolina resident. Have a Social Security card and a valid N.C. driver’s license or ID Be in one of the following target groups: unemployment insurance claimants, unemployed & underemployed [earning 200 percent below the federal poverty level] adult, member of N.C. National Guard, or military veteran or spouse. Preference will be given to students with limited or no access to financial aid from other programs Be enrolled in a short-term training program (96 hours or more) that would offer a state-regulated or industry-recognized credential that is offered through the Wake Tech Workforce Continuing Education. The SECU scholarships are need-based but don’t require FAFSA documentation. Selected recipients will receive their scholarship awards after the completion of your training course. Not be an employee or family member of an employee of the State Employees’ Credit Union or SECU Foundation.
SECU Scholarship Worth:
Ten scholarships worth $750 each will be awarded to students enrolled in Continuing Education training. The scholarships can be used to pay for educational expenses such as registration fees, books, certification fees, and course supplies.
Application Deadline:
Completed applications for the spring 2022 term scholarships will be due no later than January 15, 2022. Scholarship recipients will be announced on March 20, 2022.
How to Apply for SECU Scholarship:
The candidates must complete the scholarship application form that can be easily downloaded from the given link: https://www.seanc.org/scholarship Link for More Information: www.ncsecu.org Contact Information: For more information, please contact SECU Foundation at PO Box 25966 Raleigh, NC 27611-5966. Or call 919.839.5000 or 800.438.1104, or send an email to secufoundation@ncsecu.org If chosen as a recipient, you must consent to the release of your name and image for use in promotional publications written/distributed by N.C. Community College System Office, Wake Tech Community College, and/or the State Employees’ Credit Union and its Foundation.
