Welcome to the Minnesota Credit Union Network Submissions Portal. This page manages submissions for the following programs:
MnCU Foundation Scholarships
Mn CU Foundation Grants
Mn CU Credit Union Marketing Awards
Creating an Application
1. Register
Click on the link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application. [Select which program you are applying to.]
4. Save
Prior to the deadline, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column.
*Note: If an update is required prior to the submission deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the state trade association for Minnesota’s credit unions. The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth, and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. With over $39 billion in assets, Minnesota credit unions are local, trusted financial cooperatives that serve over 2.1 million members at 404 branch locations, employing 5,841 people around the state. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions give back to the communities they serve. For more information, visit mncun.org.
Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council Application 2023
$18,000 In Scholarships Available!
Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council scholarship. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives. Unlike most other financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned to members like you in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees.
The FSC is offering eighteen (18) $1,000 scholarships to credit union members throughout Minnesota, nine (9) to traditional applicants and nine (9) to non-traditional applicants.
Scholarship Eligibility
Scholarship applicants must be one of the following type of students:
traditional: current high school or PSEO student graduating in 2024
non-traditional: post high school student, current college student or those returning to post-secondary after some time off.
In addition, scholarship applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
enrolled or plan to attend an accredited, non-profit educational institution in an undergraduate or graduate program (both master and doctorate). Awards will not be disbursed until the student is accepted and enrolled in an accredited institution.
enrolled in at least one course at the accredited school during the scholarship application time frame.
individual must be a credit union member in good standing (as determined by your credit union) affiliated with the Minnesota Credit Union Network. The student must have a separate credit union account from their parents/guardian.
information provided on the application must be accurate and solely the authentic work of the applicant.
Additional notes:
financial need is not considered in the selection of the scholarship recipients.
immediate family and household members of the Minnesota Foundation Scholarship Council are not eligible to enter.
applicants will be asked to approve that their names, words and/or photos can be used in various media to promote the credit union scholarship program.
Creating an Application
1. Register
Click on the link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
Prior to the deadline, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column.
*Note: If an update is required prior to the submission deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
The Minnesota Credit Union Network Marketing Awards acknowledges the outstanding programs credit unions have created to grow brand awareness and market to members and nonmembers alike.
There is no cost to submit entries for Minnesota Credit Union Network-affiliated credit unions and applications are due Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Types of media include the following, but are not limited to direct mail, point-of-sale, print ads, digital marketing, broadcast, and newsletters. Judges will consider the number of media used in each campaign. If submitting radio, television, or audio-visuals, upload a copy of each script. Submitted projects should include goals of the ads and metrics and a budget where applicable. Videos should be uploaded to a host site (YouTube or Vimeo for example) and a link to the video should be included in the application.
Using design to effectively communicate the credit union's brand and achieve desired campaign objectives and goals. Examples may include a combination of digital and print items, tag lines, logos, promotional items, advertisements, or any visual or audio representation of the organization’s brand identity.
Social media campaigns, email marketing, omnichannel marketing, SMS marketing, in-stream video ads, OTT, search ads, native ads, and geofencing are examples for this category. Submitted projects should include goals of the ads and metrics and a budget where applicable
The goal of the award category is to recognize success in outreach projects that seek to garner genuine engagement among the credit union community (internal and external). Projects could include community impact and outreach projects (raising funds for charity, educational activities, or volunteer efforts), internal employee engagement and organic social media engagement.
Entry may be one of several video options produced by or for the credit union: venue to highlight staff or member stories, how to instructional content, financial education, brand awareness. Videos should be uploaded to a host site (YouTube or Vimeo for example) and a link to the video should be included in the application.
Judging Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by judges based on the following criteria. Each section is weighted equally with a maximum of 20 points.
Strategy and Results: What was the strategy and objective(s) behind the entry? Did the entry produce the expected results, given the credit union’s position in the marketplace and competitive factors?
Creativity: How did the creative concept position its offer to its target audience? Is the overall concept consistent with the stated strategy and objectives? Does the design and creativity enhance the idea and message to connect and communicate clearly?
Design and Production: How effective are the entry's design elements (typography, art, color, white space, quality of printing); or in the case of electronic, the entry's use of talent, visuals and sound and reproduction
Quality: Does the design and creativity enhance the idea and make it better? Is attention paid to the “fit and finish” of the final product? Is the quality of the printing, lighting, recording and reproduction polished?
Copy and Communication: Is the writing effective in helping sell the idea and producing the results? Are products clearly stated or obscured? Please note, if there is only a single entry in a category, that entry must meet a minimum threshold of points to win an award.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many applications may my credit union submit? Credit unions may submit 1 entry into each of the 6 submission categories. However, a single project can only be entered into a maximum of two categories.
What time period should my submission be from? Material included in applications should be from campaigns active in the last 12 months.
My submission includes audio or video, how should I include this asset? Audio or video files should be uploaded to a web host, Vimeo or YouTube for example, and a link to the resource should be included in the application. If the asset is private, please include a password.
I submitted an asset to one category; do I need to submit it again for a different category? Yes. Judges will look at each application separately and will not cross reference materials submitted to separate applications. A single project can only be entered into a maximum of two categories.
I missed the deadline; can I submit my application late? Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on Wednesday, November 1. No late applications will be accepted.
When will winners be notified? Winners will be notified in December 2023.
Who should I contact with additional questions? Contact Minnesota Credit Union Network Director of Communications Julia Miller by email.
Creating an Application
1. Register
Click on the link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
Prior to the deadline, your submission can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column.
*Note: If an update is required prior to the submission deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact jmiller@mncun.org
MnCU Foundation Grants
Professional Development Grants from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation are available to credit union staff and board members to continue their education and training in order to sustain the credit union movement. Opportunities must apply to a current or future career with credit unions. The grant applications will be open Oct. – Dec. on an annual basis – with awards for the following year. Grants may be awarded by special request throughout the rest of the year on a case by case basis. The Foundation Board will finalize awards and recipients notified no later than Dec. 31, 2023.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant must be a director of, serving on a committee of, or employed by the same Minnesota Credit Union Network affiliated credit union listed on the application at the time the grant is used or the award will automatically be forfeited.
Applications must be completed in full and received by December 8, 2023. After this date, applications may be considered if funds are available and on a case-by-case basis.
Recipient’s credit union will be reimbursed after course is successfully completed and grant form completed.
Recipient must use the grant during the year and purpose stated on the application.
Eligible Professional Development Grant Categories
GAC Scholarship ($2,000 to support attendance at the CUNA GAC Conference)
Financial & Audit Professionals Grant ($1,000 for attendance at Financial or Audit specific training)
CUDE Scholarship ($3,800 to attend the National Credit Union Foundation Credit Union Development Educator training)
FiCEP Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (up to $500 to attend MnCU Foundation Enhanced FiCEP training program)
MnCUN Major Event Grant (grant for registration at MonDak, Accelerate, CEO Conference, Lead)
Small Credit Union Grant (up to $1,000 for professional development opportunities for credit unions under $100 mill in assets)
Other Professional Development Grant (Other credit union specific education and training – must specify program on application)
Creating an Application
1. Register
Click on thelink and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
During applications deadline closes, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see aappear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on theicon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on theicon in the Application Summary section in the right column.
*Note: If an update is required prior to the submission deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact info@mncun.org
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.