Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to the UW Credit Union Scholarship

College life is expensive, and finding ways to fund your education can be daunting. Scholarships are a great option for funding your education. UW Credit Union created the Community Values Scholarship, which awards scholarships to student members who share our commitment to making our communities stronger.

Understanding Scholarship Basics

Scholarships are essentially free money, making them an attractive option for students. The U.S. Department of Education offers a helpful resource list on how to find scholarships. Your school counselor may also have leads on local and national scholarships.

Many scholarships fall into two main categories: need-based and merit-based.

Need-based scholarships: These are available to students who can demonstrate that college costs create financial hardship for them or their family. Applicants often need to provide proof of their financial situation by submitting copies of tax returns or bank statements.
Merit-based scholarships: These are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, the arts, or another area.

Beyond these categories, some scholarships recognize students from specific backgrounds, ties to an organization, workplace, or community, or special interests and talents.

Exploring Different Scholarship Types

The world of scholarships is diverse, with opportunities catering to a wide range of students. Here are some examples:

Background and Heritage

Professional organizations, philanthropic foundations, and other groups offer scholarships to students from ethnic and cultural groups that have been underrepresented on college campuses. Attributes like these could make you eligible for scholarships open to a select group of students.

Do you speak a second language? Have you or a family member served in the military? Will you be the first person in your family to attend college?

Group Membership

Does your family attend a place of worship? Do you belong to a 4-H club, a museum, or a performing arts group? If your parents or grandparents graduated from the school you ultimately attend, you might be eligible for a legacy scholarship. Some universities also offer free or reduced tuition to their employees’ children.

Even if your parents don’t work in higher education, their employers might offer college scholarships. If you have a job, your employer may offer these kinds of scholarships as well. The human resources office is a good place to start this quest.

Special Talents and Interests

Do you excel at playing a sport or an instrument? A school might offer you a scholarship if you agree to play for its team or orchestra. Do you dream of inventing a solar-powered car? An engineering organization might fund part of your studies. Have you volunteered at a humane society or sponsored a manatee? An animal advocacy organization might have a scholarship for you.

UW Credit Union's Community Values Scholarship

UW Credit Union offers the Community Values Scholarship, awarding $3,000 scholarships to student members who share a commitment to making communities stronger. It costs nothing to apply for a scholarship.

Eligibility for the UW Credit Union Scholarship

Any new or returning full-time undergraduate students attending a UW System school, Madison College, or Edgewood College are eligible to apply. Students must be UW Credit Union members.

Recognizing Community Changemakers

The scholarship fund recognizes “changemakers” - undergraduate students committed to making their communities stronger and healthier through volunteerism, campus engagement, and community-centered employment.

Tips for Finding and Applying for Scholarships

Tip #1: Complete the FAFSA

One important first step in seeking funding for college is filling out the FAFSA, every year ahead of each year you’re in school.

Tip #2: Look for Scholarships that Fit

Consider your level of financial need, as well as your commitments to others, when deciding which scholarships to pursue. Some scholarship applications are fast and relatively easy, while others can take hours of work.

Read also: Requirements for FFCU Scholarship

Find scholarships that closely match your background, skills, and interests. You might want to prioritize scholarships limited to students from your school or community, as well as scholarships that would cover a significant portion of your school expenses.

Tip #3: Make Your Plan, Then Apply

Once you’ve narrowed down your top choices, create a detailed to-do list with the materials each application requires and add deadlines to your calendar.

Leave yourself enough time to write essays, gather feedback from at least one other person, and revise your work. If you need to request letters of recommendation, give your references plenty of time to write them.

Consider preparing a resume listing jobs, volunteer positions, and leadership roles you’ve held, as well as important accomplishments from your studies. This can help you pull together an application quickly.

Spotlighting Past UW Credit Union Scholarship Winners

2024 Winners

The 2024 Community Value Scholarship winners showcase resilience, empathy, and selflessness.

Alexander Valenzuela Casiquez, UW-Milwaukee: In addition to participating in multiple community cleanup opportunities, Casiquez is also a student mentor. Motivated by his own familial struggles, he helps peers navigate campus resources and find direction.
Samantha Glad, UW-Green Bay: A proficient Spanish speaker, Glad connects the Latinx community to fundamental resources. From assisting with elementary eye exams to distributing food and toys via local nonprofits, she is curbing local accessibility gaps.
Nainl Jariwala, UW-La Crosse: As International Student Organization president, Jariwala pioneered an “Everyday Survival Guide” to help students navigate cultural complexities. These efforts bolstered event attendance and secured UWL a spot on the prestigious COVE Council.
Joseph Louis, UW-La Crosse: Louis lends his gift of music to the local church, playing the piano during weekly services. He’s also served meals and volunteered with the Catholic Charities Warming Center, assisting homeless people during the bitter cold months.
Makenna Richardson, UW-Stevens Point: Richardson’s event planning benefits her employer’s community stewardship efforts and the Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers. The latter funnels millions of dollars back to the community while funding free water ski lessons.
Avidan Trujillo, UW-Oshkosh: Through volunteer hours with the church and food pantries, Trujillo connected with senior community members and regularly assisted them with lawn work. His thyroid cancer diagnosis only further illustrated the power of sacrifice and support.
Kartar Vig, UW-Madison: While volunteering at a homeless shelter, dental student Vig saw that dental complications prevented many guests from enjoying hot meals. He promptly joined a nearby dental clinic to accommodate patients from underserved populations.
Molly Warner, Edgewood College: In her work at a long-term care facility, Warner turns seemingly mundane observations into meaningful connection points. That extra effort, including identifying menu preferences, makes patients feel valued and empowered.
Megan Wiktorek, UW-Whitewater: Wiktorek leads incoming freshmen through a three-day introduction to campus life, including leadership workshops and peer connection opportunities. Her guidance fosters confidence and self-growth, easing a difficult transition.
Grace Zongo, UW-Madison: In her role as UW’s club development coordinator, Zongo supported the growth of more than 60 clubs while elevating campus diversity and inclusion efforts. She accumulated multiple leadership awards and increased club funding access.

2025 Winners

The winners are tackling some of the most pressing issues in the country.

Karen Contreras, Madison College: As a fitness instructor, Contreras promotes the importance of an active lifestyle and works to increase accessibility to wellness programs and equipment. She is president of her campus rec club and hosts free strength training classes.
Jordyn Czyzewski, UW-Madison: Czyzewski runs Re-Wear It, a student organization promoting conscious consumerism and sustainable fashion. Through clothing swaps, mending hours and fashion shows, she has saved students and faculty nearly $30,000.
Kathleen Dahle, UW-Madison: Through her volunteer work with a local food pantry, Dahle advocates for food security initiatives while educating community members on hunger-related issues. Her inventory management maximized the organization’s efficiency and reach.
Lauren Elzy, UW-La Crosse: Elzy joined the Global Scholars Club to raise awareness about rare diseases and disability rights. She also obtained a Rare Disease Day proclamation from the governor to boost community engagement and medical resources.
Liam Ferraro, UW-Green Bay: After participating in multiple humanitarian missions, Ferraro left Montreal to study in the United States. He quickly took an active role in mentoring international students to help them balance their schedules and obtain a sense of belonging.
Kayla Hornat, UW-Stevens Point: Weekly volunteer work with her on-campus food pantry enables Hornat to tackle food insecurity head-on with peers and community members, creating more efficient operations and a welcoming environment for those in need.
Madison Kremer, UW-Madison: Through Future Business Leaders of America, Kremer initiated a fundraiser for March of Dimes and a service project to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. She’s also involved with Junior Achievement High School Heroes.
Carli Ourada, UW-Oshkosh: Ourada connects first-generation students to campus resources and career development opportunities.

About UW Credit Union

UW Credit Union is a growing, federally insured financial institution and a leading provider of a full range of financial services to University of Wisconsin communities. UW Credit Union’s employees serve the financial needs of members through world-class technology systems and a convenient network of branch locations and ATMs. UW Credit Union is ranked nationally among the leading credit unions. Our social mission is simple: improve the financial well-being of people-- putting our members’ best interest first.

We focus on activities in the Madison and greater Milwaukee areas aligned with our organizational values that improve access to:

Education: Financial education as well as high school diploma/GED completion and post-secondary educational opportunities that promote economic mobility
Housing: Stable, affordable housing and pathways to homeownership

We partner with non-profit organizations through philanthropic, volunteer, in-kind and pro bono efforts, promoting financial stability and economic mobility in those communities with an emphasis on people historically excluded from financial services.

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