Application deadline nears for $2,000 scholarships

Time is running out to apply for one of 10 $2,000.00 scholarships offered by Consumers Cooperative Association, sponsor for Consumers Credit Union. The deadline to apply for this year's scholarships is Dec. 31. The scholarships are available for eligible high school seniors on track to graduate between now and the end of June 2018.

"A quality education is one of the keys to higher earning power in today's society, yet the cost to go to college is always on the rise," said Kathleen Crews, president of Consumers Cooperative Association, adding that Consumers Cooperative Association is committed to supporting education through its scholarship program, "and we are demonstrating that commitment by increasing the number of our scholarships by 25 percent this year."

"We look forward to reviewing the applications to learn more about the goals and dreams of our students in the weeks ahead," she said.

Applicants will be evaluated based on academic performance, financial need and leadership abilities, including community involvement. High school students scheduled to graduate by June 2018 are eligible to apply, provided the applicant or parent or guardian has been a member of Consumers Credit Union for a minimum of one year. Those awarded scholarships will be recognized at the credit union's annual meeting on March 14.

Applications must include the student's high school transcript through their junior year, along with a copy of their grades for the first semester of the current academic year. Should those grades not yet be available, applicants are required to include their senior class schedules. Applications are located on the "About Us" tab of CCU's website at www.myconsumers.org, as well as at the credit union's service centers.

"The credit union is fortunate to have a sponsor that places so much value on higher education," said Sean M. Rathjen, CEO of the member-owned credit union. "We are proud to join hands with Consumers Cooperative Association in encouraging eligible students to apply for one of the 10 scholarships."

For more information about Consumers Cooperative Association's scholarship program, contact Cheryl Kubas, CCU's vice-president of talent management, at (847) 672-3499. Consumers Credit Union is member-owned with offices in Waukegan, Mundelein, Round Lake Beach, Gurnee, North Waukegan, Volo, Palatine, Schaumburg and Northbrook.