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Scholarships

Ready to take your education to the next level? Let us help you pay for college. Georgia United Foundation supports continuing education through funding a number of scholarship programs for students and teachers pursuing higher education.

Empowering Education, Brightening Futures

For years, Georgia United Foundation has been dedicated to enriching lives by offering scholarships that make it easier for Georgia families to afford college. These scholarships, named in honor of the credit union's founder and notable board members, are awarded annually to empower students to achieve their academic dreams.

   

Scholarships Awarded in Partnership with Reach Georgia

REACH Georgia is administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA), a companion student finance entity of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). The overarching goal of REACH Georgia is to provide greater college access for students throughout Georgia and prepare them for the 21st Century Workplace. REACH wants to influence the postsecondary success, and ultimately life outcomes, of low-income students across Georgia.

Georgia United Foundation partners with REACH Georgia to fund a number of scholarships in local communities including:

  • Bartow County REACH Scholarship
  • Calhoun REACH Scholarship
  • Dalton REACH Scholarship
  • DeKalb County REACH Scholarship
  • Gordon County REACH Scholarship
  • Habersham County REACH Scholarship
  • Hall County REACH Scholarship
  • Henry County REACH Scholarship
  • Savannah REACH Scholarship
  • Whitfield County REACH Scholarship

Success Stories from Our Scholarship Winners

“
I am so grateful for the opportunity that Georgia United Credit Union has given me through the Frank Thach Scholarship. I am in the last semester of my graduate program at Walden University, and this scholarship will be used to help me finish my work toward helping students become more proficient in their abilities to read and write.
- Shaylen S, Educator Scholarship Recipient 2024
“
As a doctoral student, I no longer receive financial aid, and this last year of my degree is out of pocket. This scholarship from Georgia United Credit Union means the world to me, as it enables me to pay for my classes and complete my degree.
- Kimberly M, Educator Scholarship Recipient 2024
“
Thank you so much for this scholarship. This scholarship will allow me to seamlessly pursue my educational endeavors to continue and create meaningful learning experiences in the lives of my students and future students. I appreciate the opportunity to continue learning in my field that I have always been so passionate about. Thanks again.
- Jaszmine G, Educator Scholarship Recipient 2024
“
This scholarship will assist me with paying for my last few doctoral courses. I am currently writing my dissertation and finishing my coursework. Over the past three years in my program, I have had to make countless sacrifices to pay for my EdD without taking out student loans. I’m truly so grateful for this scholarship and all of the wonderful things Georgia United does for Dekalb County School District and the Dekalb Community.
- Heather L, Educator Scholarship Recipient 2024
“
Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship! I will be able to confidently complete this semester which will build a strong foundation for me to finish my program and graduate from Athens Technical College.
- Gabrielle, Scholarship Recipient 2022

Georgia United Foundation Launches 2024 Scholarship Competitions

Jan 5, 2024

(DULUTH, GA) – Georgia United Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Georgia United Credit Union, announces the organization’s 30th annual scholarship competition for high school seniors along with new scholarship opportunities for Georgia public school educators seeking advanced degrees and for undergraduate upperclassmen.

A total of $32,000 will be awarded via various scholarships honoring the credit union’s founder and notable board members and promoting diversity.

“Whether the applicants are entering college, currently enrolled in college, or pursuing additional studies, these scholarships offer a chance to alleviate financial burdens and propel their academic pursuits further,” said Georgia United Director of Community Development Kim Wall. “Education is a Georgia United Foundation cornerstone and providing academic scholarships in the communities we serve is one of the ways we fulfil our purpose of enriching lives.”

College, university and technical school-bound high school seniors are invited to compete for 12 scholarship slots that will be awarded, including two recipients of the $5,000 Vernon E. Carne Scholarship named after the credit union’s founder.

The competition requires a one-minute video submission by the applicants explaining how they plan to use their education to contribute to their community, with all entries due by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 31, 2024. Find the online application here.

WHAT’S NEW?

The new Frank Thach Scholarship, honoring Georgia United’s board vice chair, will provide financial assistance ($500 each) to 10 Georgia public school teachers that are currently pursuing advanced education degrees at an accredited college or university.

Teacher applicants must submit an online application and write a 250-word essay answer the question: “Why is an advanced degree important to you, and what meaningful impact do you hope to make on students and in your classroom?”

Entries are also due by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 31, 2024. Find the educator application here.

              Also New for 2024:

  • Dr. James Williams Scholarship ($5,000), in honor of Georgia United’s first Black board member, will be awarded to a sophomore or junior enrolled full-time at an accredited Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Applications will only be accepted through Georgia United corporate partner, the African-American Credit Union Coalition.
  • Named after current Georgia United board chair, who also served as a teacher, principal and superintendent of Whitfield County Schools, the Tom Dickson Scholarship will award $5,000 to multiple students enrolled at Dalton State College in Spring 2024. Applications will only be accepted via the Wright School of Business.
  • More details about these two new scholarships will be announced soon.

For more information about Georgia United Foundation’s scholarship programs, including official rules and regulations and related resources, go to: https://gucu.org/programs/scholarships.

 

About Georgia United Foundation 

Georgia United Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for children and families in the communities it serves through impactful programs funded through corporate contributions and delivered via volunteer efforts from team members and community partners. The foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is the philanthropic arm of Georgia United Credit Union. For details on volunteering or donating, visit gucufoundation.org.  

About Georgia United Credit Union  

Georgia United Credit Union is an award-winning financial leader and partner in education. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia United is ranked as one of the state’s largest credit unions with more than $2 billion in assets and more than 150,000 members. As a full-service financial institution, Georgia United offers competitive products and services for every stage of life. Visit gucu.org to learn more.