Credit union launches scholarship competition

A local credit union this week launched its decades-long scholarship competition.

Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union on Monday opened its 2024 Scholarship Competition, which will be open until May 31. The scholarships are for full-time students in bachelor’s or master’s degree programs.

The overall winner will get $4,000. There will be a total of $12,000 spread out across nine awards.

It’s the 30th year the credit union has given out scholarships to its members.

The winners will be chosen based on an essay.

Contestants will be asked the question: “What are some of the most pressing financial issues facing young adults today, and what can they do to overcome them?”

“SLFCU is thrilled to launch its annual scholarship competition to support the educational goals of our college-bound members. The ideas in this year’s winning essays will undoubtedly spark meaningful change and inspire others to take charge of their financial futures. They will also give us some insight into young adults’ true financial hardships,” Stephanie Santillanes, SLFCU’s director of community engagement, said in a statement. “For 30 years, this competition has demonstrated the credit union’s dedication to education, the communities in which we operate and improving people’s financial lives.”

To qualify, applicants must include a copy of their latest transcript showing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, a copy of their résumé and a letter of recommendation from an adult who isn’t related to them.