Scholarships

2027 Great Erie Scholarship Opportunities

Explore boundless opportunities for academic growth and financial support with Great Erie FCU's Scholarship Opportunities. We are committed to fostering the educational journey of promising students in our community. Through our scholarship programs, we aim to recognize outstanding achievements, empower dreams, and invest in tomorrow's leaders. Discover how to apply for scholarships that pave the way for a brighter future with Great Erie FCU.  

Great Erie FCU/New York Credit Union Association Scholarship Program

At Great Erie FCU, we believe in the power of education and the potential of our young members. Our scholarship program empowers and supports the dreams and aspirations of these talented students. By applying for our scholarship, you invest in your future and gain financial assistance to achieve your educational goals. In partnership with the New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA), we are opening applications for high school seniors attending two- or four-year accredited educational institutions, as well as vocational or trade schools, in 2027. 

The program provides funds for tuition, room and board, books, and school supplies.NYCUA awarded $28,500 in college scholarships, ranging from $250 to $1,500, to 57 students. Join us in shaping a brighter tomorrow - apply for the Great Erie Credit Union scholarship and unlock the opportunities ahead!

Important Eligibility Information

To be eligible, you must be a member of Great Erie Federal Credit Union. If you're not already a member, explore membership opportunities.

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be:

• Members of Great Erie FCU
• College-bound high school seniors at the time of application
• Planning to attend a two- or four-year accredited educational institution, vocational school, or trade school for the first time in the fall of 2027. 

Application Steps

1. Completing the Application Form: Fill out the scholarship application form, using only the space provided for your responses. Other than where specified on the application form, no attachments, resumes, pictures, or other materials of any kind should be submitted or used to answer the questions.

2. Certification and Release Authorization: Both you and your parent or guardian must sign the Certification and Release Authorization on the final page of the application form.

3. Credit Union Verification Code: Secure a verification code from your credit union to confirm your eligibility for the scholarship.

4. Application Submission: Your completed application should be submitted online via the NYCUA Scholarship Portal by January 15, 2027. Along with your application, please upload:

• A high school transcript documenting your GPA for grades 9-11
• Your essay response

Ensure that all sections of the application are complete and all necessary documents are included. We will not consider incomplete applications or those missing required components.

When uploading documents, please use PDF format only (Google Docs are not accepted). Save and upload the following as two separate files:

1. High School Transcript

2. Essay

Assistance and Notifications

If you need further clarification or assistance, please contact David Even/Marketing & Communications Director at Great Erie Credit Union. (716) 662.1311, Ext. 133 or via email at [email protected]. We will notify successful applicants in May 2027.

Thank you for your interest in our scholarship program, and we look forward to receiving your application. Best of luck in this and all your future endeavors!

Don Bruning Legacy of Dedication Scholarship

The $500 Scholarship Award is named after Don Bruning, a retired Orchard Park High School math teacher who selflessly dedicated 52 years of volunteer service within our credit union. Don contributed his expertise as an educator and served admirably on the volunteer Board of Directors. This scholarship reflects Don's unwavering commitment and embodies the values of dedication, volunteerism, and education. 

How to Apply

Complete application instructions are available here at the Don Bruning Legacy of Dedication Scholarship.

Applications close on February 28, 2027. We will judge applications in early spring and announce the lucky winner in April. 

Charlotte Ash Community Leader Scholarship

This $500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior at Orchard Park High School in good academic standing. It is named in honor of Charlotte Ash, one of our credit union's founding members. It recognizes a student with strong leadership abilities and commitment to the community.

Orchard Park High School students can apply through the OPHS Universal Scholarship Application, which is available through the high school guidance department. The scholarship is awarded each spring.

Students interested in applying for the Charlotte Ash Community Leader Scholarship MUST:

• Be a member of Great Erie Federal Credit Union
• Be an enrolled high school senior at Orchard Park High School

Applications will be reviewed and awarded in May 2027.

Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship

The Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship is designed for students passionate about learning to manage money wisely and make sound financial choices. From budgeting basics to understanding credit, the Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship aims to encourage students to become financially literate by practicing ways to navigate real-life money situations confidently. In partnership with Banzai, this scholarship promotes financial literacy and independence for students ready to master money management. 

About Banzi

Banzai is an online financial education program that teaches students to navigate adult financial dilemmas with real-life scenarios. Banzai's free personal finance courses let students make mistakes, learn, and succeed safely in the classroom.

Eligible Recipients - High school juniors and seniors who meet the following terms:

• Residents of the United States who are at least 16 years of age.
• Applicants must plan to enroll full or part-time at an accredited college, university, or trade/vocational/technical school in the United States by the 2027 academic year.
• Applicants must have played through at least two Banzai games and submit proof. To play through two Banzai games, teachers will need to create a free account on Banzai.org. In their application, they’ll submit their name/username and their teacher’s email.

If you or your teacher has any questions about signing up for Banzai, please email [email protected]. 

Essay Prompt

Applicants must write an original essay of 350-500 words on why financial literacy is important or how they plan to use what they've learned about financial literacy in the future. 

Scholarship Amount: Two (2) scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2027

Scholarship Application Link Here: Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship | TUN

Great Erie Federal Credit Union is a full-service credit union serving the Buffalo and Erie County area, including Hamburg, West Seneca, Orchard Park, and East Aurora, New York.