People’s Trust Foundation awards $15,000 in scholarships

The People’s Trust Foundation in Houston, Texas, announced its five scholarship winners for 2019. The winners were honored at the People’s Trust Federal Credit Union’s 83rd Annual Meeting on April 13.

Four People’s Trust Foundation Scholarship candidates were selected from 17 applicants based on their GPAs, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and a 500-word essay explaining where they think the primary responsibility should lie in teaching young adults about financial education and what role People’s Trust plays in educating young adults about finances. This scholarship is awarded annually and is open to credit union members or their children, who will be graduating high school seniors attending a Texas accredited not-for-profit college/university or vocational/trade school in the fall.

“Unfortunately, the high cost of a college education can prevent many people from pursuing their dreams of obtaining a college degree,” said Patrick Flynn, AVP of Marketing for People’s Trust Federal Credit Union and executive director of People’s Trust Foundation. We aim to be a source of hope and offer a form of relief to students despite the economic landscape surrounding higher education today.”

The students receiving a $2,500 People’s Trust Foundation Scholarship are Michelle Chen, University of Texas at Austin; Bianca Becho Monte, Texas State University; Andrew Spencer, Texas A&M University; and Evan Cook, Texas A&M University.

The foundation awarded the $5,000 Patricia L. Garcia Continuing Education Scholarship to Rachel Bjerkaas, an environmental science major at Stephen F. Austin State University. The Garcia Scholarship is for college students with at least 30 credit hours and is in memory of Patricia Longoria Garcia, one of the founders of the People’s Trust Foundation and a past credit union executive vice president.

The People’s Trust Foundation was established in 2006 to advance financial literacy and economic independence among Houstonians. Since 2008, the Foundation has awarded $139,000 in scholarships. “The foundation’s scholarship program is a testament to the credit union’s philosophy of ‘People Helping People,’” said Angela McCathran, president/CEO of People’s Trust. “We’re not only committed to seeing our members achieve financial prosperity, but we take great pride in seeing our younger generation achieve success as well.”

The foundation also offers financial literacy classes and seminars to residents of all socioeconomic backgrounds in the greater Houston area. For more information, visit www.peoplestrustfoundation.org or call Community Outreach Specialist Shelly Chinnery at 713-428-3255.

About People’s Trust Federal Credit Union
People’s Trust, formerly named Shell Employees Federal Credit Union, is a full-service financial co-op. Since 1935, People’s Trust has returned profits to members in the form of higher dividends on savings, lower loan rates, and reduced fees. Though based in Houston, People’s Trust serves members across the world. For more information, visit www.peoplestrustfcu.org.