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.
Please note: If selected as a recipient for a scholarship the deadline to submit required documentation is September 30, 2024. Once received, a check will be made payable to you and the school to the address you provided. Checks will be mailed after the deadline. If the required documentation is not received by the deadline, the scholarship award will be forfeited.
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 the jmiller@mncun.org.
Professional Development Grants
Funds opportunities for credit union professionals and volunteers 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. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year, and are reviewed for approval by the Foundation Board during its scheduled meetings.
Small Credit Union Grants
Credit unions that meet specific criteria can apply for expedited reimbursement of professional development opportunities through the Small Credit Union Grant Program. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. Expedited approval will be granted based on the following criteria:
The request is for $1,000 or less;
The credit union has less than $100 million in assets as of Dec. 31 of the previous calendar year;
The professional development opportunity is on a topic(s) that pertains to the attendee’s position as a credit union professional or volunteer
A maximum of $1,000/credit union is available through the Small Credit Union Grant Program on an annual basis. All small credit unions are encouraged to apply for this grant, as well as grants for larger dollar amounts under our general Professional Development Grant program which undergo regular review and approval through the Foundation Board during its scheduled meetings.
Financial & Audit Professionals Grants
The Financial & Audit Professionals Grant Fund was established in 2014 through a generous contribution from Rich Gabrielson, a CPA who worked with Minnesota credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management throughout his 36-year career. Gabrielson retired from CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP at the end of 2013.
This contribution provides up to $2,000 in annual grant funding for Minnesota credit union staff and volunteers who have financial and audit-related responsibilities to attend various educational events, conference and seminars. Eligible credit unions must be headquartered in the state of Minnesota, and individuals are only eligible to receive Financial & Audit Professionals Grant Fund dollars (maximum of $1,000) every four years. Grants will be available on an annual basis until the fund is exhausted.
Funding from the Financial & Audit Professionals Grant program is intended to cover or defray the costs for credit union professionals and/or volunteers to attend timely and accurate educational events, conferences and seminars on financial and audit-related topics. Reputable course providers include, but are not limited to, the following:
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Credit Union Conference,
the Association of Credit Union Internal Auditors (ACUIA),
National Association of Credit Union Supervisory & Audit Committees (NACUSAC),
Credit Union National Association,
the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN)
the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES)
Grant funds must be used by Dec. 31 of the year of receipt, and recipients must submit proof of registration and the grant follow up form. The applications open in the late fall/early winter of each year.
GAC Scholarships
This scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to credit union staff and/or volunteers who are members of the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and wish to participate in CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference.
Scholarship monies allocated to applicants may be used for the cost of the conference registration, typically between $500 to $1,000, and to help cover some travel expenses. The Foundation will be offering multiple $2,000 scholarships.
Preference will be given to applicants who have not attended GAC, are from credit unions under $100 million in assets, and have shown engagement with MnCUN and credit union advocacy.
CUDE Scholarships
A program of the National Credit Union Foundation, Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) Training brings renewed relevance to the philosophy of "People Helping People." This unique and transformative training provides critical lessons in cooperative principles, credit union philosophy, and development issues, while incorporating challenges credit unions face today. Preference will be given to applicants have shown engagement with the credit union movement.
The grant will cover the full registration fee for in person training, which includes lodging and meals. Travel to and from Madison is at the expense of the attendee. The Foundation is holding space for our grant recipient(s). Please indicate your preferred dates on the application.
MnCUN - Minnesota Credit Union Network
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the state trade association for Minnesota’s credit unions. The Network, working in conjunction with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), works to ensure the success, growth and vitality of our member credit unions by creating a positive public environment through leadership, political advocacy, education, awareness and regulatory assistance.
We value our members' continued trust in us, and we appreciate the opportunity to be able to serve credit unions throughout the state.
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.