2023 Gulf Winds Foundation Scholarship Information and Application

Scholarship Purpose

We know the importance of continuing your education. Considering the rising cost of education, we have established a scholarship program to help deserving students with some of those expenses.

In 2023, the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation will be awarding four (4) non-renewable $5,000 scholarships. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors or high school graduates. The scholarships are intended for first-year continuing education students only. One of the four available scholarships is reserved specifically for a student attending a trade school.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants, their parent(s) or their grandparents must be Gulf Winds members in good standing on or before September 30, 2022. Please see the Eligibility Guidelines for other applicant requirements.

Number of Scholarships

In 2023, Gulf Winds Cares Foundation will offer four (4) scholarships in the name of long-time Credit Union members and supporters: Rufus Caton, Louie Lambert, Lola Stephens and Al Evans, Jr.

Amount of Scholarships

The Scholarships are valued at $5,000 each. Payment of the scholarships will be made in the form of a check payable directly to the school of choice as designated by the recipient.

Eligibility Guidelines

1. Applicant must be a current senior or a graduate of an accredited high school, ready to begin as a first-year continuing education student. A GED is not an acceptable substitute.
2. Applicant must have a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 grading system, or a “B” average. A copy of high school transcripts for four (4) years is required.
3. Applicant must plan to be a full-time student. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants, their parent(s) or their grandparents must be Gulf Winds members in good standing on or before September 30, 2022.
4. Submit at least one (1) and not more than four (4) academic letters of recommendation from authorities at your school such as teachers, principal, or guidance counselor.
5. Submit at least one (1) and not more than four (4) letters of recommendation from individuals, other than family members, who have known you for at least two (2) years.
6. Applicant must provide an essay in your words answering: “How do credit unions help people reach their financial goals?" The essay should be 500 words or less.
7. Employees of Gulf Winds Credit Union and members of their immediate family are not eligible to participate.
8. Completed applications must be submitted through the Scholarship Program online portal. The completed application must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM CT on Friday, March 3, 2023. Paper submissions are allowed by special request. To request a paper form, email [email protected].

Additional Information

No applicant will be excluded from participation or be denied the benefits of a Gulf Winds Cares Foundation Scholarship on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, or disability. The recipient must meet all eligibility requirements. Applications will be scored solely on their merits according to the categories of 1) financial need, 2) academic achievement, 3) essay strength, 4) community work/extracurriculars and 5) overall strength of the application.

The Scholarship Committee will review all applications. The committee will submit their recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Board, by majority vote, will determine the recipients of the scholarship. All applicants will be notified of the Board of Directors’ decision in writing in May 2023.

Questions?

Questions about the scholarship program may be directed to [email protected].