DESERT FINANCIAL FOUNDATION AWARDS NEARLY $170,000 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Desert Financial Foundation awarded nearly $170,000 in college scholarships to 65 Arizona high school seniors and adult learners. It is the most scholarships the Foundation has ever awarded at one time.
 
“We are an organization founded by teachers,” says Jeff Meshey, Desert Financial Foundation vice-chair. “Education is, and has always been, one of our top priorities. The continued growth of this scholarship program is a testament to the value we place on helping our members attain the education they need to better their lives.”
 
McClintock High School graduate Gianna Gallegos received the top honor of a $10,000 Community Service Scholarship from Desert Financial. Gallegos volunteered for 350 hours in 2022.
 
“It’s important for me to give back to my community because they have given so much to me,” says Gallegos. “I grew up attending afterschool programs and summer camps, and they honestly took part in raising me. I feel like it did take a village, and its only right that I give back, it is a full circle moment. ”
 
In addition to the scholarships, which ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, each recipient received a backpack of gifts from the credit union to prepare them for their higher education experience. Each backpack included an iPad, an iPad case, AirPods and additional school supplies.
 
Community Service Scholarships
 
Thirty high school seniors were awarded a total of $90,000 in Community Service Scholarships. One hundred and thirty-two students applied for the scholarships, which ranged in value from $2,500 to $10,000 each.
 
Scholarship applicants were evaluated on the following criteria:
 
·         Completion of at least 50 hours of community service during 2022
·         A minimum grade point average of 3.0
·         Answers to two short essay questions
·         A plan to attend an in-state college or university in Arizona in the Fall of 2023
·         Demonstrated financial need
·         Being a Desert Financial Credit Union member or related to a Desert Financial member.
 
Combined, the community service scholarship recipients completed more than 4,460 hours of unpaid service in 2022.
 
Adult Learner Scholarships
 
Of the 110 applicants that applied for the Adult Learner Scholarship, 32 were selected to each receive a $2,000 scholarship and three scholarship recipients were randomly selected to receive $5,000 scholarships. A total of $79,000 was given to the 35 recipients.
 
Requirements for this scholarship included being:
  
·         Age 25 or older
·         Enrolled in or have plans to attend an accredited Arizona college, university or certification program
·         A Desert Financial Credit Union member in good standing
 
The recipients celebrated their awards during the 2023 Desert Financial Foundation Scholarship Ceremony that took place at Chateau Luxe in May.
 
To learn more about Desert Financial Foundation scholarship programs, visit DesertFinancial.com/Scholarships.

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