Scholarship Call for Entries from Benchmark Federal Credit Union
WEST CHESTER, PA – February 15, 2017 – Benchmark Federal Credit Union has opened a call for entries to Chester County-area students as well as existing membership to compete for five college scholarships totaling $15,000.
Three (3) graduating high school senior students will each receive a $4,000 scholarship. Two (2) students currently enrolled in an accredited higher-education institution will each receive a one-time $1,500 scholarship toward their fall 2017 tuition.
“Benchmark is committed to supporting financial awareness and success strategies throughout our Chester County community,” says David LaSala, Benchmark President and CEO. “This scholarship program is just one way we hope to ease the financial burden on deserving students and their families.” Benchmark is the only federal credit union to exclusively serve Chester County.
All scholarship applicants must successfully answer the following question: How will I make an impact in my community based upon the secondary education I plan to receive? Essays of up to 750 words are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 and will be judged by an independent panel of community and education leaders. Winners will be notified by April 28, 2017. The scholarship program is open to students who already are, or are eligible, to become Benchmark FCU members, and do so prior to the contest deadline. The minimal membership fee to join the credit union is $5.00. Rules, Official Cover Sheet and membership information can be found at www.benchmarkfcu.org.
Benchmark Federal Credit Union has also been working with Banzai, a national award-winning financial literacy program, to make its curriculum available to 49 Chester County schools; completely free. The interactive, online program supplemented by printed workbooks aligns with state curriculum requirements for personal finance education. Students are exposed to real-life scenarios where they learn to pay bills, balance a budget, and manage unexpected expenses such as parking tickets, interest charges, and overdraft fees. The educational program also introduces students to auto loans, bank statements, entertainment costs, savings, and more.
“Our goal is to assist the youth in our community through all stages of life… from the time they open their first bank accounts for their allowances, to when they later get married and have their own children,” says Rebecca Worthington, Benchmark Vice President of Marketing. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that we can reach even more Chester County youth – via our sponsorship of 49 schools – with this valuable curriculum.”
About Benchmark Federal Credit Union
Since 1940, Benchmark Federal Credit Union has evolved to provide its members with complete financial services including free checking accounts, vacation and holiday club accounts, loans, certificates, money market accounts, and individual retirement accounts. Benchmark also offers home banking, online bill payer, account-to-account transfers (A2A), remote deposit anywhere (RDA), mobile banking (FREE apps for iPhone & Android), direct deposit, instant issue debit/ATM cards, and Benchmark Retirement & Investment Services. As of April 10, 2015, anyone who lives, worships, works, or attends school in Chester County, PA is eligible to join Benchmark FCU. For more information, call (610) 429-1600 or visit www.benchmarkfcu.org.
