Oregon Credit Union Awards $77,500 in Student Scholarships

For students worried about paying for college or trade school, $77,500 in financial relief just became available through a credit union that's been championing education since 1936.

SELCO Community Credit Union opened applications February 1 for scholarships totaling nearly $80,000, with awards going to 21 Oregon students by the end of June. Twenty students will receive $3,500 each, while one Lane County student facing adversity will earn the $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship.

The program isn't just for traditional college-bound high school seniors. SELCO designed its scholarships to support vocational students, adults returning to school, and anyone pursuing a two-year degree or technical training.

"Students approach education differently than they once did," said Craig Carpenter, SELCO's Senior Vice President. "As a credit union founded by teachers 90 years ago, meaningful student support will continue to be foundational to how we give back."

Ethan Amato knows that relief firsthand. The University of Oregon freshman from North Bend used his 2025 SELCO scholarship to study pharmacology and co-found the school's first Pharmacy Club.

"It was a huge sigh of relief when I found out I'd received the SELCO scholarship," Amato said. "The scholarship has really helped relieve the burden of paying for college, not just for me, but for my parents as well."

Students can use the funds for any education-related expense, addressing what research shows is the biggest barrier keeping people from attending college: cost.

The Ripple Effect

SELCO's scholarship program represents just one piece of a larger community investment. In 2025 alone, the credit union reinvested $415,000 through educator grants, scholarships, and sponsorships, while employees volunteered nearly 1,700 hours.

Now in its 36th year, the scholarship program is part of SELCO Steps Up, a philanthropy initiative addressing education barriers across Oregon. The credit union serves 150,000 members across 27 Oregon counties.

To qualify, students need a 3.0 GPA or GED, membership with SELCO (or a family member's membership), and plans to attend an accredited school or vocational program. Membership is open to anyone living or working in the 27 counties SELCO serves.

Applications close March 31 at selco.org/scholarships, with winners announced by June.

When a financial institution born from teachers 90 years ago continues investing in the next generation, education remains within reach for thousands more students.