Access Your Accounts  |   Site Map  |    Internet Security Practices  |  Privacy
	Scholarships--2008-2009 Vantage Credit Union is dedicated to helping families reach their educational goals through higher education. We have awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors over the years. Plus, we have given numerous financial aid seminars to help parents and students make the transition to college easier. Vantage Credit Union remains committed to helping members in the pursuit of higher education and providing related information here on our web site. Vantage Credit Union Quest For Education Scholarship Each year, we award 25, $1,500 Quest For Education Scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Any Vantage Credit Union member who is a graduating high school senior is eligible for the scholarship. Recipients must use the scholarship to attend an accredited college, community college or university. Each scholarship is paid directly to the school of choice (not the student) at the time of fall registration. The scholarship money may be used for books and tuition. Vantage Credit Union employees, Board and Committee members, and their families are not eligible to receive this award. Financial need is not a criterion for this award, nor is class rank, SAT/ACT score or grade point average. Do not include information such as GPA, grades, test scores, class rank, etc., or the application will be disqualified. If a student is already a winner of a full scholarship or has a congressional appointment to a military academy where further award will not be meaningful, application for this scholarship should not be made. One Quest For Education Scholarship awarded per recipient. Application details Vantage Credit Union’s Quest For Education Scholarship application consists of: One essay from the student Two letters of recommendation: one from a teacher whom the applicant had for a class, and a second from a sponsor, employer or coach. A sponsor is an individual who has directly and actively led an extra-curricular activity or organization the student has participated in. A guidance counselor may be used as a sponsor, however, the counselor must elaborate on the character of the applicant, as grades are not a criterion. Student activity sheets Applicant’s essay The applicant’s essay must be typed and no longer than one page in length. The essay should address what the student hopes to gain from a college education, their career goals and aspirations, and why they are deserving of the Quest For Education Scholarship. Letters of recommendation The two letters of recommendation should address the applicant's character; what the teacher/sponsor believes are the applicant's greatest attributes; specific accomplishments; examples of educational, employment and/or community leadership; the applicant's potential for future personal achievement; and why the teacher/sponsor believes the applicant deserves a Quest For Education Scholarship. These letters of recommendation must also be typed and no longer than one page in length. The essay, recommendation letters, and student activity sheets may be typed on the respective forms provided with the scholarship application, or on a separate sheet of paper, if desired. All required information must be included (see official scholarship forms for details). How to obtain a Quest For Education Scholarship application Quest For Education Scholarship applications are available at any Vantage Credit Union branch in mid-to-late August. You may also call us at 314.298.0055 or 800.522.6009 and we’ll mail you an application. Or, you can obtain an application online right now, which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Application deadline 2008-2009 For the 2008-2009 school year, Quest For Education Scholarship applications needed to be received by Vantage Credit Union’s Marketing Department no later than December 5, 2008. Judging takes place December through February, with winners being notified by Friday, March 6, 2009. Applications are judged on: Student Activity Sheets (to be completed by the student): Should outline any awards received, extra-curricular school activities, community activities/volunteer programs participated in, and any employment information. Recommendation Letters: Should address the applicant's character; what the teacher/sponsor believes are the applicant's greatest attributes; specific accomplishments; examples of educational, employment, and community leadership; their potential for future personal achievement; and why the teacher/sponsor believes the applicant deserves a Quest For Education Scholarship. Vantage Credit Union membership Student Essay: Should address what the student hopes to gain from a college education, their career goals and aspirations, and why they are deserving of the Quest For Education Scholarship. - Ideas/Content: Essay is clear, focused and addresses the assigned topic. It holds the reader’s attention. - Organization of Essay: The essay’s organization enhances and showcases the central idea. - Sentence Fluency: The essay has a logical flow and rhythm. - Conventions: The writer demonstrates a strong grasp of standard writing conventions (grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, spelling) and uses conventions effectively to enhance readability. - Word Choice: Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting and natural way. Application judging Applications are judged by a group comprised of Vantage Credit Union volunteers and employees. All decisions are final. One Quest For Education Scholarship awarded per recipient. Questions? If you have any questions about our Quest For Education Scholarship, please call 314.298.0055 or 800.522.6009 and ask for the Marketing Department. Or, send us an e-mail at info@vcu.com. Other scholarship resources The following links supply additional information for other scholarship opportunities: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid FastWeb.com Scholarships.com MO Dept of Higher Education Mapping-Your-Future.org Top of Page
This  credit union is federally insured by the National  Credit Union Administration     Home   |   Online Services   |   Financial Services   |  Information   |   Youth Services                                                      Copyright © 2008, Vantage Credit Union.  All rights reserved.