PSECU announces winners of its 22nd annual scholarship program, awards $48,000 in funds for postsecondary education
HARRISBURG, PA (May 15, 2018) — Today, Pennsylvania’s largest credit union, PSECU, announced the 2018 winners of its 22nd annual scholarship program. Each year, the program awards six scholarships – valued at up to $8,000 each for a total of $48,000 – to graduating high school seniors to help reduce the financial burden of pursuing postsecondary education. Winners are selected based on their academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and critical thinking and writing skills.
“At PSECU, the number 22 holds a special importance to us. It is the number of founders – ordinary people who wanted to make a difference in their community – who came together to start the credit union more than 80 years ago,” said PSECU President Greg Smith. “Since we started our scholarship program 22 years ago, we’ve awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships to over 130 students. That is something we’re very proud of, and I know our original 22 founders would be, too.”
Of the record-setting 613 applications PSECU received through its new electronic application process this year, the following winners were selected (alphabetical order by last name):
- Grace Bechtel, who attends Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA and plans to study at Princeton University. John J. Marisic Memorial Scholarship recipient.
- Rebecca Cox, who attends Falmouth Academy in Falmouth, MA and plans to study at Wellesley College.
- Christin Ealer, who attends Conestoga High School in Berwyn, PA and plans to study at Dartmouth College.
- Brady Klinger, who attends Williams Valley Junior Senior High School in Tower City, PA and plans to study at Penn State University. Michael A. Gottshall Memorial Scholarship recipient.
- Michael Pirrall, who attends Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford, PA and plans to study at University of Rochester.
- Nathan Sullivan, who attends Saint Joseph High School in Natrona Heights, PA and plans to study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Learn more about the 2018 PSECU scholarship winners.
As long as scholarship requirements, including maintaining a minimum GPA, are met, each winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship per year that is renewable for up to four years, for a total scholarship value of $8,000 per student.
“Credit unions exist to use members’ collective resources to create shared financial opportunities,” said PSECU Financial Education Manager Sara Weiser, who oversees the credit union’s scholarship program. “What better way to create opportunity and help others than by supporting students as they work to achieve their educational goals. For us, it is an honor to present our annual scholarship program.”
About PSECU
Opened in 1934, PSECU was founded by 22 ordinary people who pooled $90 and made an extraordinary commitment to each other: To create a financial institution where collective resources benefit all members. Today, PSECU continues that legacy as Pennsylvania’s digital-first credit union, with $8 billion in assets, an economic impact of over $700 million, more than 590,000 members, and a convenient anytime, anywhere banking model. For more information about PSECU, visit psecu.com. PSECU has been recognized as a Best-In-State Credit Union by Forbes, a Best Credit Union by GOBankingRates, a Best Bank by Money.com, and one of America’s Best Banks by Newsweek. View its Year In Review to learn how PSECU contributes to the greater good.
