MIRAMAR, Fla. – (May 17, 2022) – As the cost of everyday items continue to soar, three area college students will have fewer worries when it comes to their college tuition thanks to scholarships provided by Tropical Financial Credit Union. This year, the South Florida credit union awarded three scholarships totaling $10,000--one grand prize of $5,000 and two $2,500 awards to deserving students.
This is the 10th year of the program created to help local students further their education. The scholarship winners are:
-
Shannon Feerick-Hillenbrand is the recipient of TFCU’s $5,000 scholarship. She will graduate this year from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart High School in Miami. Shannon will attend Brown University in the fall where she plans to major in Political Science. She says she hopes to enact political change in the future.
-
Sophia Elizabeth Hernandez is one of the two $2,500 scholarship winners. After graduating West Broward High School, she will be heading to Suffolk University in the fall to study English and creative writing. She is also a National Hispanic Recognition Program winner.
-
Samantha Benjamin is TFCU’s second $2,500 scholarship winner. A recent graduate of Hofstra University, Samantha is starting medical school this summer at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She decided she wanted to be a physician at only 11 years old, when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Samantha’s mom is now a cancer survivor, and she is well on her way to fulfilling her goals of becoming a doctor.
“When it comes to budgeting for today’s college students, every little bit helps,” said Rick Shaw, president/CEO. “We are proud to offer these scholarships to deserving members who are ready to kick off a successful year at school and ease the financial strain that can come with it.”
All 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.
