Kalamazoo, MICH — Consumers Credit Union is pleased to announce that applications for its 2023 scholarship awards are now open. Every year Consumers awards money to deserving Michigan high school seniors for their continuing educational journeys. The awards are one grand prize scholarship of $10,000 and an additional 10, $1,000 scholarships. The scholarship fund is collected from our coin machines and from Consumers employees themselves, who contribute through paycheck donations—a direct link from employees to the communities they serve.

“Over the last 15 years, Consumers members and employees have allowed us to give out over $170,000 to high school seniors. We’re so proud that our program can help Michigan high schoolers pursue their dreams and help make a difference in our world,“ says Scott Sylvester, CEO of Consumers.

Scholarships were awarded to students who will attend a university, college or trade school in fall of 2023. The application is open to all Michigan high school seniors who meet the other requirements laid out by the scholarship committee; including academic achievement, community involvement and an essay contest. The top 11 finalists are selected through a blind selection process based on the scores of the essay committee. Complete details can be found at Consumerscu.org/Scholarships.

The finalists then submit a 60-second video explaining why they should win the $10,000 scholarship. All Consumers employees are able to vote for the grand prize winner from the top three video submissions, as selected by a separate committee.

The application is open through March 1, 2023, and the grand prize winner is announced through a Facebook Live event in April. Today’s announcement marks the 15th year Consumers has helped high school students continue their educations.