Did you know the credit union industry’s motto is “people helping people”?
At Andrews Federal, we take this seriously and infuse these values into everything that we do. That includes our scholarship and summer camp programs. We provide funds every year to support graduating seniors headed to college or trade school, as well as to defray the costs of summer camps and programs for children from elementary to high school.
Wondering whether you should take time to apply for a credit union college scholarship or summer camp award? We’ve put together three reasons it makes sense to complete the application and submit it for your chance to earn funds.
The Money
Of course, the top reason to apply for a scholarship is the scholarship funds that can help students fund college in Maryland, DC, Virginia, New Jersey – or anywhere! Scholarships are not limited to students who live in the credit union’s service area. Students across the country and overseas can apply for the credit union scholarship – as long as they or an immediate family member is a member of Andrews Federal.
Each college scholarship recipient will gain $5,000 they can use to pay tuition at the college, university, community college or trade school of their choice.
Each summer camp award recipient will receive a $500 grant they can use to fund camp activities of their choice.
The Community
The scholarship application process is focused on the concept of “people helping people.” We ask students to consider how their life and choices have helped to exemplify the goals of the credit union movement.
Completing the application is an outstanding way for students to begin considering the ways their lives touch and influence others and the impact they make through volunteerism in their communities. For example, scholarship recipient Morgan wrote about her experience giving back to her community through work at Piney Run Nature Camp. “Volunteering at this camp allowed me to share my love of nature and the environment with the kids,” she wrote. “The best part was that I was giving back to an organization that had already provided so much to me, starting with when I was a camper at Piney Run Nature Camp during my own elementary school years. I loved being a camper and had an amazing experience which was the direct result of others taking time to volunteer in their community.”
Morgan, and many of the other scholarship winners, were able to tie back their efforts in uniting and serving the community to the “people helping people” credo, and the credit union scholarship funds are a good reinforcement that their actions in service matter.
The Vision
Both our award programs focus on giving students a chance to see and prepare for a better future.
In the essay portion of our college scholarship program, students are encouraged to consider credit unions’ people helping people and how it applies to their own lives. Younger students are encouraged to submit their original artwork highlighting their goals and dreams for the summer.
By focusing their efforts and actions, the scholarship application process encourages students to think about the kind of people they want to be and the effort it takes to move forward on the path to their overall vision.
One student wrote about how she was able to manage grief over the loss of a close friend by nurturing plants. From those small actions, she saw ways to connect to others struggling with mental health. She developed a vision to grow access to mental health resources in her community and to support other students, “inspiring others in the community to grow stronger roots that ground us.”
The students applying for our scholarship programs are already exceptional in many ways. The scholarships are a way of acknowledging the efforts they are already bringing to their communities and fueling their vision to move forward and achieve their goals - for college and beyond.
Even for younger students, the contest is about vision. It’s about seeing themselves actively engaged in the things that matter to them - whether it’s art or STEM activities or sports. Winning a summer camp award based on their own work efforts is an amazing first step to showing that if they put effort toward things they care about, they’ll be able to achieve more.
Learn more about the Andrews Federal Credit Union 2025 Summer Camp Award Program.
The 2025 Andrews Federal College Scholarship Program Details
Full details about our scholarship and summer camp award programs are available on our website, including deadlines, submission guidelines and eligibility. Winning students are honored each year at our credit union annual meeting.
Let’s Reach Your College Goals - Together!
Andrews Federal awards scholarships each year to help students achieve their educational goals and work toward a bright future. This year, Andrews Federal will award ten scholarships of $5,000 each to deserving students.
About the Andrews Federal Scholarship Program
Scholarship applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 31, 2024. Incomplete applications at the time of the deadline will not be considered for the application process.
Essay: Credit unions focus on “people helping people.” Write 750 to 1,000 words describing the ways you follow this philosophy and how your service has impacted your personal life and your community.
Requirements:
- A copy of your college or university acceptance letter
- A high-resolution self-portrait or graduation photo with no proofs or watermarks
- The college or university Federal and Student ID numbers of the school you plan to attend
Eligibility:
- You must be a member of Andrews Federal Credit Union or have an immediate family member who is a member of Andrews Federal Credit Union.
- You must be a graduating high school senior preparing to enter your freshman year of college, or trade school during Fall 2024.
- You must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.
- Scholarships are not open to employees or board members of Andrews Federal Credit Union, or their families.
- Limit one scholarship per household.
Winners: Scholarship winners will be notified by May 8, 2024.
If you are selected as a winner, you must provide an official transcript showing your current GPA. If you do not comply with these requirements in a timely manner or if we are unable to reach you, your scholarship may be forfeited.
Learn more about the Andrews Federal Credit Union 2025 Scholarship Program.
Andrews Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA. You must be a member, or a family member of an Andrews Federal member, either of which must be in good standing as of May 2, 2024. Must also be a graduating high school senior preparing to enter your freshman year of college or trade school in the fall of 2024. Scholarship Program not open to employees and Board Members of Andrews Federal Credit Union or their families. Limit one scholarship per household. This award is reported to the Internal Revenue Service as income of the recipient. Consult your tax advisor about your specific tax situation. Membership eligibility required. Our field of membership includes U.S. Active Duty or Retired Military personnel (or their spouses, dependents or dependent survivors) of Joint Base Andrews, Joint Base McGuire and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands; as well as over 200 employer groups throughout Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey. We also have nationwide membership eligibility through the American Consumer Council and anyone who lives, works, attends school or worships in Washington, D.C.
Andrews Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with stateside locations in Washington, D.C., a variety of Maryland counties including Prince Georges, St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles, Northern Virginia and New Jersey, as well as overseas locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.