TopLine Federal CU Foundation Awarded $10,000 in Scholarships

MAPLE GROVE, MINN. — November 30, 2016 — In its second year, TopLine Credit Union Foundation has awarded $10,000 in scholarship money to sixteen TopLine members who are continuing their education.  The scholarship awards included four $1,000 scholarships and twelve $500 scholarships.  
 
Any individual planning to pursue or continue post-secondary education by attending a college or university, graduate school, or a 2-to-4 year community, vocational or technical college in the fall of 2016 was eligible.  All eligible schools must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.  
 
Scholarship applicants needed to complete a one-page application form and submit an essay (500 words or less) that answered the question: “Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works and how to effectively manage your personal finances.  Minnesota schools do not require a personal finance education course to be offered or taken, nor require standardized testing on the subject. If you were to develop a financial literacy program what would the important elements be?” 
 
“In our second year we are once again delighted to assist sixteen TopLine members with the costs of higher education,” said Vicki Roscoe Erickson, President, TopLine Credit Union Foundation.  “The essays provided valuable insights on what to include when developing a financial literacy program, like how to create and follow a budget, the importance of short term and long term savings, how to manage and pay off debt, understanding how interest works and how to manage insurance risk.  We will be sharing essay responses with our local legislators and our state trade organization, the Minnesota Credit Union Network, to help garner traction on the importance of financial literacy being taught in the classroom.”   
 
TopLine Credit Union Foundation, guided by its mission of “working within the community to build a better tomorrow,” will continue to support the cooperative spirit of “people helping people” by living the mantra — to care, connect and contribute in the communities they serve. 
 
The foundation received a total of 121 applications.  Scholarship recipients will be recognized with a reception at the credit union, on TopLine Credit Union Foundation’s website page at www.TopLinecu.com/foundation and on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/TopLineFederalCreditUnion.  
 
TopLine Credit Union Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing members with an array of financial education opportunities and counseling for members of all ages, awarding scholarships, contributing to community charitable organizations and sponsoring other community give-back efforts.  Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  For further information visit www.TopLinecu.com/foundation, email Foundation@TopLinecu.com, call 763-391-9494, stop by any TopLine branch location or write to: 9353 Jefferson Hwy, Maple Grove, MN 55369. Federal Tax ID # is 46-4335752.