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Scholarships & Awards

As a community based, not-for-profit financial institution, CFCU is passionate and committed to helping our members, youth, and communities succeed on many levels. With the costs associated with higher education nearly insurmountable for some, we are pleased to offer scholarships to aid local youth. We also offer a Community Service Award, because we greatly value giving back to our communities through volunteerism and want to recognize exceptional youth that donate their time and care to help others.

CFCU is currently accepting 2021 applications for our 3 scholarship options:

  • Richard V.V. Stringham 4-year Scholarship 
  • Richard V.V. Stringham 2-year Scholarship
  • Community Service Award

Application Deadline: Friday, April 2, 2021

Richard V.V. Stringham Scholarships

These Scholarship options are available to:

  • High school seniors and non-traditional students planning to enter college for the first time are encouraged to apply.
  • Previous recipients have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, held leadership positions, and been active in their schools and communities.

For students planning to attend a 4-year college or university
Ten one-time awards of $3,000 each - awarded as two $1,500 amounts across two semesters

Apply for a 4-year Scholarship Here

For students planning to attend a 2-year college
Five one-time awards of $1,500 each - awarded as two $750 amounts across two semesters of study

Apply for a 2-year Scholarship Here

APPLICANTS MUST:
• Be high school seniors or others preparing to begin full-time study at 2- or 4-year accredited colleges
• Open a membership savings account in the applicant’s name before Friday, April 2, 2021
• Complete and submit the application form, letters of recommendation, and official transcript by Friday, April 2, 2021

Recipients will be chosen based on a variety of factors, including extracurricular and community involvement, letters of recommendation, completion of an essay, and academic achievement. Scholarships may be used towards the many expenses related to a college education.

Community Service Awards

This Community Service Award is available to:

  • High school seniors and nontraditional students earning their GED are encouraged to apply.
  • Previous recipients have demonstrated outstanding commitment to our communities, volunteering hundreds of hours of their time to local fire departments, hospitals, youth athletic programs, and not-for-profit organizations.

For those who give back
Two one-time awards of $1,500 each

Apply for a Community Service Award Here

APPLICANTS MUST:
• Be either a high school senior or nontraditional student graduating or earning a GED in the spring of 2021
• Reside in Tompkins, Cortland, Cayuga, Seneca, and Ontario Counties
• Open a membership savings account in the applicant’s name before Friday, April 2, 2021
• Complete and submit the application and recommendation form(s) by Friday, April 2, 2021

Recipients will be chosen based on a variety of factors, including their volunteer experience. Awards may be used at the recipients’ discretion.

2020 Recipients

CFCU proudly continued its support of local area students striving to better themselves and our local communities. In 2020, we awarded over $40,000 in Scholarships and Awards to high school graduates!

Your success is our passion!

Community Service Award

Tyler Abbott - Southern Cayuga Central School                

"He always has a pleasant attitude and never leaves without making a difference in the people that he either just met or those he has known. he is continually on track for self-improvement and desires to be great at everything he does." 

- Patrick Sullivan, Supervisor at Long Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Paige Euson - Marathon High School

"Paige is a dedicated young woman who gives 150% to her endeavors." 

- Mary Anne Diaz, Sunday School Teacher 

Richard V.V. Stringham Scholarship

Kathryn Aumick - Cortland Jr./Sr. High School

"She is a phenomenal musician, students, and citizen but do not let her modesty fool you. She is a young woman of remarkable talent and ability." 

- Kimberly M. Sanderson, Director of Senior High Bands

Samantha Benzel - Cattaraugus Little-Valley High School

"She has an outgoing personality and maintains a positive attitude in all tasks and responsibilities." 

- Heather A. Metzger, Math Teacher 

Kaley Driscoll - Southern Cayuga Central School

"Kaley possesses the work ethic, attitude, and character of a leader." 

- Elishia Hoatland, English Teacher

Gwenyth Gisler - Lansing High School   

"She truly understands how to look beyond herself and to work for the greater good." 

- Isis Ivery, Social Studies Teacher 

Morgan Haaf - Ithaca High School                                                                    

"I've recognized that there is an authenticity, ease, and warmth about Morgan that radiates wherever she goes."

- Kristin Zaryski, Director of Vocal/Choral Music

Pearl Hettich - Cortland Jr./Sr. High School   

"Pearl is a very conscientious student who exhibits great leadership qualities, excellent communication and teamwork skills, as well as a great amount of determination." 

- Kimberly M. Sanderson, Director of Senior High Bands 

Sidonie Lazarus - Ithaca High School                                                              

"She is an invaluable resource and always seems eager for new challenges to conquer." 

- Matthew Fellman, Physics Teacher      

Cameron Lemberg - Ithaca High School

"This young lady has high expectations for herself, and she rises to those expectations with grace and poise." 

- Elizabeth Campbell, ELA Teacher

Matthew Luby - Newfield High School                                                             

"He has exceptional vision that belies his age. He knows what he wants and what it will take to get there." 

- Richard Ketcham, Technology Teacher

Margaret McCurdy - Charles O. Dickerson High School

"Maggie takes every opportunity to apply her learning outside the four walls of the classroom; she learns with voracity and intent." 

- Jane K. George, English Teacher  

Caelan Murphy - Dryden High School

"Caelan is an intelligent and hard-working young lady whos character and motivation far surpass others her age." 

- Erica L. During, English Teacher

Suong Nguyen - Ithaca High School

"With her warm, gentle personality, everyone around her wants to meet the high expectations that she has for herself." 

- Janet L. Bowman, French Teacher

Lauren Reeves - Groton Jr./Sr. High School                                                    

"Her level of commitment and ability to take on a challenge is extraordinary."

- Michele L. Kline, Agriculture Teacher & FFA Advisor  

Averie Roberts - Groton Jr./Sr. High School

"Everything she does is in service to bettering herself and her community." 

- Jordan Campo, School Counselor

Jacob Schmitt - Southern Cayuga Central School

"Jacob possesses the character of a leader, critical thinker and problem solver in and out of academics." 

- Halee Wasson, Agriculture Sciences Teacher 

Cora Smith - Waverly High School  

"I am impressed by her exemplary self-advocacy skills, interpersonal skills and academic success. She sets challenging goals for herself that she works vigorously to achieve them." 

- Lindsay Neubauer, School Counselor 

Evelyn VanNess - Charles O. Dickerson High School   

"She is talented in so many areas, her contributions to our district and community are unprecedented." 

- Jane K. George, English Teacher

Previous Recipients

2019:

Richard V.V. Stringham Scholarships:

Adam Brown - Homer High School
Asha Duhan - Ithaca High School
Lauren Fish - Lansing High School
Benjamin Haefner - Charles O. Dickerson High School (Trumansburg
Saige Jackson - New Roots Charter School
Sarah Karnes - Ithaca High School
Catherine Kopp - Southern Cayuga Central School
Alison Lantry - Sandy Creek High School
Janice Lee - Ithaca High School
Desirae Livermore - McGraw High School
Anthony Pawlewicz - Newfield High School
Irena Rosenberg - Ithaca High School
Alexander Ryan - Cortland High School
Tony Yang - Ithaca High School
Elyssa Yonta - Cortland High SchoolSaige Jackson - New Roots Charter School

Community Service Awards:

Conner Bennett - Southern Cayuga Central School
Catherine Kopp - Southern Cayuga Central School
Anna Lewis - Lansing High School
Menelik Weatherspoon - Ithaca High School

2018:

Richard V.V. Stringham Scholarships:

Cynthia Chen - Ithaca High School
Reed Cleland - Homer High School
Rachel Coombs - McGraw High School
Jon Frederick - Cortland High School
Natalie Gier - Cortland High School
Brooke Henderson - Ithaca High School
Garam "Popo" Hong - Ithaca High School
Jordan Lu - Ithaca High School
Auburn Noce - Charles O. Dickerson High School (Trumansburg)
Elizabeth "Lizzy" Rayle - Ithaca High School
Caleb Richards - Home Schooled
Jamie Sayre - Spencer Van-Etten High School
Alyssa Thompson - Groton High School
Caleb Wilder - Lansing High School

Community Service Awards:

Mackenzie Perkins - Groton High School
Natalie Thomas - Marathon Central School

2017:

Richard V.V. Stringham Scholarships:

Jaedyn Allen – Groton High School
Katelyn Artibee - Charles O. Dickerson High School (Trumansburg)
Bronwyn Galloway – Ithaca High School
Katherine Heath – Newfield High School
Sarah Jeon – Ithaca High School
Olivia Longhouse – Lansing High School 
Maybeck McCann – Charles O. Dickerson High School (Trumansburg)
Madelynne Newton – Cincinnatus High School
Tenzin Seldoen Oshoe – Ithaca High School
Sidney Reeves – Groton High School
Emily Sine – Ithaca High School
Anna Sutherland – Charles O. Dickerson High School (Trumansburg)
Gavin Tabel – Cortland High School
Cameron Vanselow – South Seneca High School

Community Service Awards:

Mallorie Conroy – Charles O. Dickerson High School (Trumansburg)
Noah Kilmer – Homer High School

Student Loan Options

CFCU Community Credit Union has partenered up with Student Choice to bring you access to student loans with great benefits:

  • Zero origination fees and lower rates than many other lenders.

  • Defer payments while you're in school (optional).

  • Structured as a Line-of-Credit (LOC), which you can then use over multiple years. The benefit is that with just one application you can qualify for a LOC that will cover the remainder of your undergraduate career (up to $75,000)*. Each year, you simply determine how much of the eligible LOC amount you'll need - without having to complete an entirely new application!

  • Flexible repayment options resulting in lower initial payments after graduation.

  • Reduce your interest rate by 0.25% during full repayment when you enroll in automatic payment.

Apply Now!

For questions, please contact the

CFCU Education Committee

college prepped clear guidance and flexible funding for uncertain times a private loan solution with your best interest in mind
college prepped clear guidance and flexible funding for uncertain times a private loan solution with your best interest in mind