MSUFCU announces first Dreams Take Flight scholarship recipients
EAST LANSING, MI (December 14, 2023) — MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) is excited to announce the first recipients of its Dreams Take Flight scholarship to help make flight time more accessible and affordable to area high school juniors and seniors interested in an aviation career.
This year’s selected recipients are Lillian Schneider, a junior at DeWitt High School, and Ty Wardin, a junior at St. Johns High School. MSUFCU’s program provides two $5,000 scholarships to assist with the costs associated with flight lessons.
The Aviation Careers Institute, a partnership between the Capital Region International Airport and Eaton Regional Education Service Agency, offers high school juniors and seniors in all school districts and academies in Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton counties the unique opportunity to learn about careers in aviation; take part in classroom lessons; and utilize flight simulators to learn the basics of flight, plane management, and ground school.
“Offering this scholarship empowers local students to reach their aviation dreams by providing financial support for their required flight time,” said Arianna Ridderbusch, MSUFCU’s Vice President of Community Impact. “MSUFCU is proud to partner with Eaton RESA, Crosswinds Aviation, and Capital Region International Airport to encourage students right here in the mid-Michigan community and help their Dreams Take Flight.”
To qualify, applicants must be a high school junior or senior in Eaton, Ingham, or Clinton counties who plans to attend or is currently attending the Aviation Careers Institute, Crosswinds Aviation, or another flight school partner to earn a pilot’s license.
Submissions were reviewed by a committee made up of individuals from MSUFCU, the Capital Region Airport Authority, Eaton RESA, and Crosswinds Aviation.
“Congratulations to the recipients of the MSUFCU Dreams Take Flight scholarship,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority. “Their passion for aviation has not only earned them this well-deserved recognition but has also taken them one step closer to achieving a career in aviation. MSUFCU’s investment in this program and aviation education is a testament to its shared commitment of fostering excellence and providing access and opportunities for a career in aviation to our local students and community, and we are so grateful for their investment and partnership.”
About Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)
Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by American Banker for the sixth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 13 consecutive years, and a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner for seven consecutive years. MSUFCU has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for 10 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group; along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi and Collegiate; trade name Oakland University Credit Union; and its foundation, the Desk Drawer Fund. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 24 branches; over 350,000 members; $7.61 billion in assets; and more than 1,100 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.
