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Utility & Energy Industry Credit Union awards thousand-dollar student scholarships to industry families
Utilities Employees Credit Union has selected the winners of its 2014 Student Scholarship Contest for students who are family members of workers in the energy or utility industries.
WYOMISSING, PA (August 29, 2014) — As college students head back to campus for the 2014 fall semester, two members of Utilities Employees Credit Union (UECU), the billion dollar virtual credit union serving the U.S. utility and energy sector, will start their school year with $1,000 scholarships from the organization.
“As a not-for-profit, financial co-operative, UECU returns its profits to our member-owners of all ages, through exceptional savings returns, highly affordable lending rates, and financial rewards,” says Glen A. Yeager, UECU’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are highly committed to programs that help our young members pursue their career goals and build a financially-sound future – including our annual UECU Student Scholarship.”
Winners Katharine R. and Samantha B., both of Pennsylvania, entered essay submissions describing their top financial goals. Each has been awarded a $1,000 education award in the annual UECU Student Scholarship program for student credit union members who are the family of workers in a utility or energy profession, or are themselves employed by the industry. A third student, Cassandra G. of New York, earned a $200 gift card for textbooks and school supplies, when her essay received the most online votes in the contest’s People’s Choice competition held on the credit union website. UECU received a record-number of entries for this year’s scholarship contest from applicants residing in locations ranging from the West to East Coast.
Utilities Employees Credit Union serves more than 44,000 members spread across all 50 states, from its single facility in Pennsylvania. Without shareholders or branches to maintain, the credit union has been able to return a greater share of profits to its member-owners since 1934, when the cooperative financial institution formed to serve America’s utility workers. Today, UECU works with more than 500 utility and energy companies across the U.S., to offer financial services to industry workers and their family members. UECU offers loans and credit cards, checking and savings accounts, investment and insurance products, free financial education, financial reward programs, and a wide variety of mobile and online banking services to its members.
Each year, the organization announces a new theme for entries to the UECU Student Scholarship Contest, which is open to UECU members who are about to enter or are currently attending advanced training at an accredited college, university or trade institution. For the 2014 contest, student members were invited to submit a short essay or video explaining how they plan to achieve their financial goals. Year-round contest information and annual submission guidelines are provided on UECU’s scholarship program webpage at http://www.uecu.org/scholarship.
“As a full-service, virtual credit union we provide the ultimate level of convenience including nationwide, 24/7 account access via Internet, phone line or mobile device – making us the perfect financial institution for young adults at college or about to enter the workforce,” says Yeager. “UECU members live in every state and include current energy and utility employees, family of existing members, and former and retired industry workers. We offer life-long membership regardless of where employees and their family members move or travel.”
To learn more about Utilities Employees Credit Union, visit http://www.uecu.org. Utility and energy companies and related industry organizations interested in offering UECU financial benefits to their employees may call 800-288-6423 ext. 6034 or visit benefits.uecu.org for more information.