Tropical Financial Credit Union Awards $10,000 in Scholarships to Local Students

MIRAMAR, Fla. – (June 7, 2021) – As colleges prepare for what they hope will be a somewhat normal fall semester, three students will have a little less to stress about thanks to scholarships from Tropical Financial Credit Union. This year, Tropical Financial awarded three scholarships totaling $10,000. One grand prize of $5,000 and two $2,500 scholarships to students. 

This is the eighth year for the program created to help local students further their education. The scholarship winners are:    

• Amanda Koplman is the recipient of TFCU’s $5,000 scholarship. This will help her pay the expenses needed after her impressive grades got her a full ride to Boston University where she plans to study Biomedical Engineering. Amanda graduated from NSU University School and is also a highly decorated Girl Scout.   

• Ethan Rogge is one of the two $2,500 scholarship winners. He will be heading to the University of Central Florida to study Business Administration. A graduate of Cypress Bay High school, Ethan has completed a whipping 177 community service hours and has received multiple awards through DECA.   

• Luz Gonzalez is TFCU’s second $2,500 scholarship winner. When her husband passed away, Luz decided to go back to school for herself. She will be attending Florida Atlantic University and is an active member of Broward Up.  

“We decided to change things up this year to help make a bigger impact in the lives of these deserving students,” said Rich Helber, president/CEO.  “Instead of giving 10 scholarships of $1,000, we decided to split the award between three standout students to help ease the financial stress that comes with pursuing a higher education.”  

All of the applicants were required to submit an essay highlighting their personal and educational objectives and how Tropical Financial has helped, or could help, them reach financial goals. Other factors considered: community involvement, charity work and extracurricular activities.  

About Tropical Financial Credit Union 

Based in Miramar, Florida, Tropical Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution whose deposits are federally insured.  Anyone who lives or works in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Lee, Collier, Hendry and Sarasota Counties is eligible to join. Tropical Financial Credit Union was formed in 1935 by employees of the former Southern Bell with just a few hundred dollars and has grown to $700 million in assets.  For more information, log on to www.tropicalfcu.com.