Credit Unions Fuel Student Dreams with Grants and Scholarships

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions for their growth and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy.

Credit Union of America Awards $40,520 in Classroom Grants

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Wichita, Kansas-based Credit Union of America has awarded $40,520 in Teach, Grow, and Inspire the Future (TGIF) classroom grants to 49 teachers across Kansas. 

Since its inception in 2000, CUA has contributed more than $565,000 to help educators enhance their curriculum by funding classroom projects, supplies, field trips, and other educational activities that enrich the student experience.

Recipients submit applications outlining their classroom funding needs, which are then reviewed anonymously by a team of CUA staff and retired educators. Additional details are available on individual projects by request.

This spring’s recipients represent schools in Wichita, Goddard, Derby, Great Bend, Salina, Haysville, and more. Wichita Public Schools alone had 18 teachers selected, with projects ranging from literacy tools and math technology to photography gear and special education materials.

Soarion Awards $25,000 in Scholarships to Five San Antonio Students

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San Antonio-based Soarion Credit Union has selected five local high school students as the recipients of its 2025 scholarship program. Each student will receive $5,000 to be used for college costs, including dorm expenses, tuition and fees, computers, and other supplies.

The 2025 Soarion Credit Union scholarship recipients are:

• Kayanna Brownlee, John Paul Stevens High School
• Chelsea Huber, Ronald Reagan High School
• Sofia Ramirez, Health Careers High School
• Kirra Vrzal, Sonia Sotomayor High School
• Danielle Yarbrough, Virginia Allred Stacey Junior-Senior High School

“Providing resources for our next generation of leaders to succeed is important to us, and Soarion Credit Union is proud to support students in pursuit of their higher education goals,” said Ric Ledezma, Soarion president/CEO. “We look forward to seeing these five San Antonio students soar toward a bright future.”

Each year, Soarion Credit Union awards scholarships to deserving students who are planning on attending an accredited public or private college, university, community college, or technical college. Selection is based on the applicant’s service in the community, academic performance, leadership, and financial need. Recipients must be a Soarion Credit Union member or a dependent of a member in good standing. The scholarship program was established in partnership with the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.

Information and application for the 2026 Soarion Credit Union Scholarship Program will be announced later this year on www.soarion.org.