ST. PAUL, Minn.– Jordan, a St. Cloud State University freshman studying to be a forensics psychologist, knew she was $2,000 short in tuition for the current fall semester, and spring semester lay ahead.
Then the call came from her Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union on-campus branch: could she stop by? When she did, Jordan – who became an Affinity Plus member in August 2016 – was “a little confused, skeptical and worried,” said JoAnn Rocheleau, assistant branch manager.
Instead of additional worries, staff shared great news: Jordan was SCSU’s recipient of the Affinity Plus Foundation’s new $3,000 University scholarship.
“She immediately burst into tears,” Rocheleau said. “Jordan was totally in shock and disbelief. She said the scholarship was the answer to her prayers.”
At right, Teirrah Syvertson, a Minnesota State University – Moorhead sophomore majoring in Elementary Inclusive Education and minoring in Mathematics, receives a $3,000 Affinity Plus Foundation University Scholarship from Rob Greene, Moorhead campus branch Member Advisor III.
The foundation announced the winners of its inaugural University Scholarships for the 2016-2017 school year in late October and early November. They are:
- Alicia W, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
- Jonathan S, Minnesota State University – Mankato
- Jordan A, St. Cloud State University
- Samuel S, Bemidji State University
- Shelby L, Winona State University
- Tierrah S, Minnesota State University – Moorhead
“Campus branch staff see and hear every day that higher-education students are feeling significant financial pressures,” said Amy Hanson, foundation executive director. “In response, the staff expressed a desire to specifically support these student members as they pursue higher education.”
Campus-branch staff enjoyed surprising student members with their scholarships.
“We celebrate right along with them, and sometimes that includes tears,” Rocheleau said. “We’re proud of their hard work and really believe in them.”
The credit union said the University Scholarships were a pilot program this year, but have been so well received they will be awarded again in 2017.
The University Scholarships join Affinity Plus Foundation’s current $5,000 annual scholarship program, which are awarded to various student members, including incoming freshman; current students; non-traditional students; and graduate and doctorate-level students.
The foundation also awards community and cultivator grants to assist and support K-12, higher-education and community educators across Minnesota with their financial-literacy efforts and programming.
Separately, the Affinity Plus Foundation raised more than $27,000 during its fourteenth-annual Silent Auction. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Affinity Plus Credit Union.
According to Amy Hanson, the foundation’s executive director, nearly 3,000 online bids were placed on 545 baskets or items, with bids coming from across Minnesota and from as far away as Arizona, California and Missouri.
“Every year we’re impressed by how the silent auction grows and excels, especially since it began as printed booklets with pictures, descriptions and bidding sheets in our branches,” she said.
Auction proceeds primarily help fund Community Grants and Cultivator grants, which the Foundation distributes annually across Minnesota to teachers, community educators and others to support financial literacy and education.
In 2016, the foundation has awarded more than $70,000 in grants, to recipients who have implemented financial education and financial literacy programs in their school and communities.