Across the state, students are getting a helping hand to pay for their education. The “People Helping People” scholarship program is funded by the members of SECU, who reallocate a portion of their $1 monthly fee to the foundation.
Fighting hunger, providing access to healthcare and supporting entrepreneurship are just some of the ways the Foundation is making a difference in communities.
People Helping People
With a commitment to community, SECU members, employees and the credit union’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board donate their time, talent and resources to help lift up the communities that they serve. Whether it’s through scholarships, financial education or volunteerism, the people of SECU are dedicated to uplifting the world around them.
One example is the SECU Foundation’s People Helping People scholarship, which was established to help students from 115 North Carolina local education agencies (LEAs)/school districts attend college. The scholarship program not only recognizes academic achievement, it also acknowledges leadership, integrity and community involvement. Applications for this award are submitted through the LEA scholarship selection committees. Students interested in applying should contact their high school guidance counselor for information.
The program also awards 10 $750 scholarships at each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, for registration fees, books and certification fees required to take state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials. These scholarships allow students to take classes that will help them find jobs and advance in their careers.
In addition to these Continuing Education and People Helping People Scholarships, the foundation awards a total of $580,000 annually through the Gilman International Exchange Program, an initiative that provides opportunities for students to travel abroad and gain critical skills needed for success in today’s competitive workforce. The program is aimed at enabling students from low-income households to participate in global opportunities that will open their academic and professional doors and make them more valuable to the community, as well as the U.S. economy and national security.
Kaitlynne Perez-Mendez, a People Helping People scholarship recipient and sophomore at Alamance Community College, is pursuing an associate degree in teacher preparation. She’s worked on clean up initiatives in Mexico and taught children to read English, and plans to transfer to either UNC Greensboro or UNC Chapel Hill next year.
Applicants for a MPOWER Scholarship must be a current member of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) or a child of a current SECU member. Applicants must also meet certain additional eligibility requirements. Entrants may not be a director or employee of the credit union, SECU Foundation or any Content Host that posts information about the Scholarship (“Content Host”). All entries must be received by MPOWER no later than 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2024 to be eligible for a prize.
Bridge to Career
The SECU Foundation’s Bridge to Career program is designed to remove financial barriers for community college students enrolled in workforce continuing education programs that lead to state-regulated or industry recognized credentials that fuel sustainable wage careers within local communities. The program provides $500 scholarships for up to 30 eligible community college students at each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. The program was previously titled the SECU Continuing Education Scholarship.
Johnston Community College (JCC) received $18,000 in funding from the SECU Foundation to distribute to students enrolled in Workforce Continuing Education programs. The scholarships can be used to offset tuition, required books and materials, instructional fees, transportation, childcare and other related expenses. JCC was able to award 18 out of the 30 scholarships available.
A heartfelt ceremony celebrated the success of 23 Randolph Community College (RCC) workforce training students who were awarded State Employees Credit Union Foundation Bridge to Career Scholarships this fall. Scholarship recipients were rewarded with $500 checks at a recent RCC Board of Trustees meeting. Scholarships were provided by the member-funded SECU Foundation and are part of a larger initiative called “People Helping People,” funded through the SECU Foundation.
At the September 24th event, Scholarship Recipients were recognized for their commitment and perseverance, including Phlebotomy student Annie Wallace, a single mother who is raising seven children and working full time as a health care worker. Other Scholarship Recipients included EMS Students Brandon Anderson and Isaac Hampton of Yadkinville, and Recruiting & Training Coordinator for the new SCC Emergency Medical Program Darrin Wolfe of Lewisville. A Recruiter from the Winston-Salem Fire Department was also on hand to encourage students as they prepare for their careers in the fire service and EMS field.
PCC’s Director of Health Care Programs Sidette Brown says Pitt is grateful for the support of the Foundation which has had a direct impact on the creation of a skilled workforce in the county. She adds that the Foundation’s investment in the community will pay huge dividends for years to come. “We are extremely excited about the partnership with the Foundation and the opportunity to continue building a strong workforce for the community,” she states.
Public Fellows Internship
SECU’s commitment to uplifting communities extends well beyond scholarships and financial education programs. Each day, the credit union’s Board of Directors, Advisory Board members, employees and members throughout North Carolina volunteer their time and energy to support causes across the state. As part of our ongoing mission to support the people and places of our home state, SECU is proud to offer a variety of internships that connect students with local organizations and agencies that serve the needs of their communities.
The SECU Public Fellows Internship provides undergraduate students interested in civic engagement a paid opportunity to build capacity with their local community organizations and government agencies. The initiative is made possible through a grant from the SECU Foundation, which is funded by contributions from SECU members.
Each participating university administers the program locally and selects up to 20 in-state, full-time undergraduate students each year to participate in a 330-hour public service internship for academic credit. The program also includes a series of leadership and professional development workshops scheduled during and at the end of the internship. In addition, interns are required to present their internship findings and recommendations to their host organization and attend a local SECU branch meeting during or following their internship.
Student interns will be placed in non-profit organizations or government agencies that have a focus on the populations of rural, underserved regions in North Carolina. Currently, interns are being placed in agencies serving Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties as well as the northwest region of the state.
Interns will be paired with a supervisor and work closely together to determine the best project for the student to complete. The selected project will provide an opportunity for the intern to gain practical experience and develop a stronger understanding of the issues in their community while contributing their expertise and perspective as future leaders. The project must align with the mission and goals of the host organization.
Interns will be compensated for their work through hourly wages. In addition, a small stipend to offset other internship expenses is provided.
Community College Scholarships
Students who are pursuing an associate degree, diploma or certificate at any of the 58 community colleges in North Carolina are eligible to apply for this scholarship. The scholarships are aimed at reducing financial barriers to students seeking state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials that lead to sustainable wage careers within their communities.
Each Local Education Agency (LEA) has a Scholarship Selection Committee that selects the recipients of their respective district’s scholarships. The committee takes into account not only academic achievement, but also leadership, excellence of character, integrity and community involvement. The scholarships are a two-year award, with each student receiving $5,000 per year. The scholarship may be used to cover tuition, fees and course supplies.
Eligibility is based on a number of factors, including documented financial need, GPA, community service and commitment to study at a community college for two years. The scholarship is funded by SECU members, who contribute a $1 service fee on their checking accounts.
The foundation focuses on the principle of People Helping People and asks that applicants exemplify those values by contributing to their community through volunteerism, school/community service or by giving back to others in need. To be eligible for the People Helping People scholarship, an applicant must have a maintained 2.5 or higher unweighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale and demonstrate the desire to earn a higher level of education.
Scholarship recipients will be contacted by the financial aid office at each university to verify full-time enrollment each semester. Once the confirmation is received, checks are sent to the university to be distributed directly to the student for tuition and fees up to $1,250 a semester. Students wishing to pursue a study abroad program or internship should contact their university to determine eligibility and if prior approval is required from the Foundation.
It is the goal of the People Helping People scholarship that each student receives their full payment each semester. Therefore, if a student receives another large scholarship that will not allow them to utilize the full amount of their SECU Foundation People Helping People payment each semester, the scholarship payments will cease after the original eight consecutive semesters.