RALEIGH (February 2, 2022) – The SECU Foundation calls its scholarships “People Helping People” scholarships. And indeed, they help a whole lot of people in North Carolina.
With 2.6 million members across the state, one in four North Carolinians is a member of the State Employees’ Credit Union. The credit union began directing a fee of $1 a month from each checking account to the SECU Foundation in 2004, producing about $18 million a year for the foundation.
More than $7 million of that goes to support the foundation’s People Helping People scholarships and internships for North Carolina college students every year. The foundation helps more than 2,500 North Carolina students a year:
- High School Scholarship: 435 scholarships of $10,000 each ($1,250 a semester for eight semesters) for graduating high-school seniors who will attend one of the 16 UNC System institutions. Check with your public high school guidance office for information on the application and deadline to apply.
- Community College Scholarship: 116 scholarships of $5,000 each for students at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges (two per college). Check with the financial aid office at your community college for information.
- Bridge to Career: As many as 1,740 (30 per community college) $500 grants focused on providing skills to un- or underemployed adults, military veterans or National Guard members that lead to a sustainable-wage career.1 Check with the workforce development/continuing education department at your community college for more information.
- SECU Public Fellows Internship: As many as 20 summer internships with a local nonprofit agency or organization for students at each of 16 UNC System universities. Each intern receives a maximum stipend of $5,000. Check the Career Center at your university for more information.
The foundation has provided more than $76 million in scholarships since it began awarding them in 2005.
“We are, I think, hitting all learner needs,” said Executive Director Jama Campbell, who added that the scholarships are based neither on need nor merit, but on service to the local community.
“Where’s that middle-ground student who may not otherwise go to college?” she said.
Applicants for the university scholarships must have at least a 2.5 GPA at a North Carolina high school and be accepted at one of the 16 UNC campuses. They must either be an SECU member or be eligible to be a member through a parent or guardian. They are also asked to write an essay on community service.
The recipients are decided by selection committees in each school district.
“They know the students for whom this could make the difference in going to college or not,” said Campbell.
One such recipient – Kelli Holloway, now a Senior Vice President at SECU – says in the accompanying video that the scholarship helped her feel free to simply be a student, rather than worry about how to pay for college.
And it changed the trajectory of her life. With very little student debt, she says, she was able to buy a house at age 24, plan a wedding, have a family and have a 13-year career (so far) with SECU.
“It’s a ripple effect,” she says.
The scholarships go to students from all 100 North Carolina counties.
“Our members are all over the state,” said Foundation Vice President Laura Culverhouse. “We want to make sure these scholarships get out to all the communities.”
Some of the scholarship recipients are the children of state employees, she said. And many are the first in their family to go to college.
Campbell thinks the foundation can help students – and the state – achieve its ambitious goal to have 2 million North Carolinians ages 25-44 with a degree or high-quality credential by 2030.
“We’re one of many organizations out there that are crucial to making that goal,” she said.
Disclosure: The SECU Foundation provides financial support for Higher Ed Works. But the foundation’s considerable contributions to the education of North Carolinians from every county deserve attention whether they support our organization or not.
1https://www.ncsecufoundation.org/Projects/Scholarships.html.
Doug Glasgow says
As a retired educator of 43 years I applaud your continuing efforts to assist students further their education and career goals.I believe public education is under attack now by special interest groups .As a SECU member for 45 years I am thankful to be a part of this organization.