Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Program

Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Program Ardent Credit Union has always believed in helping our members. The scholarship program, created in 2011, has already awarded close to $54,000 to our members wishing to further their education. We believe strongly in giving back to our members and the communities we serve. The 2017 Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Program will award ten (10) scholarships to members who demonstrate credit union participation, academic excellence, or ambition and accomplishments, including school activities, volunteer activities, and the content of two essay submissions. Who Is Eligible? You are eligible to apply if you are a primary member of Ardent with your own account. If you are not a member, you may be eligible to join Ardent and apply. Your accounts (checking, ATM, savings, etc.) must be in good standing, with no delinquent or charged-off loans. Also, you must be a graduating high school senior who will be attending a fulltime course of study at an accredited two (2) or four (4) year college, university, trade, technical, or business school during the 2017-2018 school year. How Much Are The Awards? Ardent will award one (1) $2,500 scholarship and nine (9) $1,000 Scholarships. Awards are distributed through the schools financial aid office. Criteria You must be a member of Ardent and have membership in your own name. Employees and their families, board members, volunteers, and board members are not eligible to apply. Applicant must have a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (B average). If grades are not determined on a 4.0 scale, grading equivalency will be used to determine eligibility. Applicant must be a high school senior who has been formally accepted into an accredited two or four year college, university, trade, technical, or business school during the 2017-2018 school year. Applicant must demonstrate community service, take on responsibilities within the family, and/or maintain a part-time job. Applicants must submit: 1. Completed application 2. Official copy of high school transcript (issued within the last six months) 3. Two essays 4. Two Scholarship Recommendation Forms from professional references such as an instructor, academic advisor, principal, mentor, coach, teacher, or employer. 5. A photo of themselves (professional senior photo is encouraged) and a signed photo release form. The photo can be emailed to Marcella.McCullough@ardentcu.org. Applications must be completed in full with all requested documents attached. Applications must be postmarked by April 29, 2017. 1

Timing / Filing Deadline Applications will be made available to the members beginning December 2016. Filing deadline for the Ardent Credit Union Scholarship is April 29, 2017. Send full applications to Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Committee 1500 Spring Garden St, Suite 500 Philadelphia, PA 19130 Essay Topics Choose one from the topics below: 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, or an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. For your 2nd essay, please elaborate on the following scenario. You and a friend would like to start building your credit. Discuss with your friend what good credit is, ways to start building credit, how Ardent may help, and the benefits earned by having good credit. Each essay should be approximately 400-500 words, typed in 12-point font, be double-spaced and have one-inch margins. Please submit with your application, and ensure your name appears on all pages. Judging Criteria and Information Ardent is committed to social responsibility, and we take pride in helping our members and their children succeed with their educational goals. Scholarships are awarded based on the criteria provided, school activities, volunteer activities/employment, and content of two essay responses (mechanics, style, grammar, and originality). Life experience will be a contributing factor. Scholarship recipients are selected without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, veteran status, gender, or handicap. Scholarship finalists may be interviewed by members of the scholarship committee. All decisions by the scholarship committee are final and not open to contest. Judging will be conducted by a scholarship committee consisting of selected volunteers from the Ardent Credit Union community. The primary intent of the Committee is to discover well-rounded and education-oriented individuals and assist them in advancing their education. Notification All winners will be notified by phone, email, and postal mail within the first week of May 2017. At that time, we will verify to which school the scholarship will be sent. Awards are sent directly to the candidates matriculating school. 2

Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Application Page 1 of 2 Scholarship Applicant Information Name: Address: City, State, and Zip code: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email: Member Number: High School Career Name of High School: Address: City, State and Zip code: Cumulative Grade Point Average: 1 SAT Scores: or ACT Scores: Grade Level: 2 1 Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) for eligibility is 3.0 (B average) and must be verified by transcript issued within the last six months. 2 Must be a graduating high school senior to apply. 3

Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Application Page 2 of 2 Extra-curricular Activities and Charitable Service Hours Please provide us with a list of your activities that you participated in. Charitable service activities are voluntary and unpaid; internships or work placements should be listed as extra-curricular. If you need additional space, please attach an additional document and note an attachment in this section. Name of Club or Sport: Length of Service: Positions Held / Responsibilities: Name of Charitable Organization: Hours Served: Reference Name and Phone Number: Name of Employment: Hours Served: Reference Name and Phone Number: College and Career Goals Name of School: 3 Address: City, State and Zip code: Major / Course of Study: Intended Degree: Desired Profession: 3 Applicant must be a high school senior who has been formally accepted into an accredited two or four year college, university, trade, technical or business school. 4

Scholarship Eligibility Checklist Please check each box where applicable and ensure all documentation is attached. Incomplete applications, or applications that do not meet eligibility requirements, will not be considered for scholarship award. I have completed this application in full. I have completed and attached the two essay responses. I have attached two Scholarship Recommendation Forms from professional references such as an instructor, academic advisor, principal, mentor, coach, teacher or employer. I have attached my official high school transcript reflecting my current G.P.A. and grade level. I have attached verification of my acceptance to an accredited two or four year college, university, trade, technical or business school. I have included a professional photo and signed photo release form. Disclosure, Certification and Release Authorization I certify this information is true, complete and accurate. I authorize release of information to confirm and/or verify this application. I understand this application becomes the property of Ardent Credit Union. I authorize Ardent Credit Union to use my name, essay contents, and photographs taken at scholarship events in advertising and professional public releases as they see fit. Ardent Credit Union is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail. Scholarship recipients will be chosen by the Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Committee. All decisions made by the committee are final and not open to contest. Employees, board members, and relatives of employees and board members at Ardent Credit Union are not eligible to apply. If I am awarded the scholarship, I hereby grant Ardent Credit Union permission to use my student identification number or social security number for use of dispersing funds. I understand if I am selected to receive this scholarship, Ardent Credit Union has no legal liability or obligation to me other than the one-time payment of the scholarship award for the 2017-2018 school year. Scholarship money will be sent to the school to be applied to tuition, books, and/or on-campus housing on behalf of the recipient. There will be no cash disbursement to the student. Applications postmarked after April 29, 2017 are ineligible for scholarship award. 5

Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Recommendation Form (1) Submit two Scholarship Recommendation Forms from professional references such as an instructor, academic advisor, principal, mentor, coach, teacher or employer. Applicant s Name: Please circle the points, which represent your evaluation of the applicant. If you have no fair basis for judgment, do not hesitate to say so. Motivation, Energy, & Initiative No Basis for Judgment Circle Score Low High Originality 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Leadership 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Self-Confidence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Warmth of Personality 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sense of Humor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Concern for Others 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ability to React Positively to Setbacks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respect Accorded by Peers and/or Co-workers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please make a written statement regarding how this applicant has exceeded your expectations as a student or an employee. A Letter of Recommendation must be attached, limited to one page. Signature: Print Name: Relationship to Applicant: Work Phone: School or Business Name: Date: A written statement is necessary for the Recommendation Form to be considered by the Committee. Ardent Credit Union 1500 Spring Garden St, Suite 500 Philadelphia, PA 19130 6

Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Recommendation Form (2) Submit two Scholarship Recommendation Forms from professional references such as an instructor, academic advisor, principal, mentor, coach, teacher or employer. Applicant s Name: Please circle the points, which represent your evaluation of the applicant. If you have no fair basis for judgment, do not hesitate to say so. Motivation, Energy, & Initiative No Basis for Judgment Circle Score Low High Originality 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Leadership 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Self-Confidence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Warmth of Personality 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sense of Humor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Concern for Others 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ability to React Positively to Setbacks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Respect Accorded by Peers and/or Co-workers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please make a written statement regarding how this applicant has exceeded your expectations as a student or an employee. A Letter of Recommendation must be attached, limited to one page. Signature: Print Name: Relationship to Applicant: Work Phone: School or Business Name: Date: A written statement is necessary for the Recommendation Form to be considered by the Committee. Ardent Credit Union 1500 Spring Garden St, Suite 500 Philadelphia, PA 19130 7

Photo, Likeness, Quotation, and/or Testimonial, and Tax Release Form Name: Age: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: ( ) -- For value received, receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, I DO HEREBY GIVE AND GRANT unto Ardent Credit Union of Philadelphia, Pa., its successors and assigns, full and exclusive permission to copyright, use and publish for any and all commercial purposes whatsoever any and all photographs, illustrations, photographic reprints, videotapes, films, audio recordings or printed testimonials or quotations of myself or other reproductions from negatives, positives, analog or digital recordings made of me at their studios or elsewhere in any and all poses, either in conjunction with or without using my name, and to make changes or alterations in such photographs, with testimonial copy, with fictitious name or otherwise, in such manner as to said Ardent Credit Union shall deem proper. Taxes on prizes are solely the winner s responsibility. I do further certify that I am of full age and possessed of full legal capacity to execute the foregoing authorization and release. X (Signature) Parent or Guardian: Date: X (Signature) 8