ST. PAUL, MINN. (May 18, 2017) – The Affinity Plus Foundation has expanded its Campus Scholarship program for the 2017-2018 school year to include Minnesota technical and community colleges, foundation officials announced today.

In the program’s second year, four scholarships will be awarded to students at the two-year colleges. This is in addition to the six scholarships the foundation will award to students at six universities across Minnesota.

Those universities include: Bemidji State University; Minnesota State University – Mankato; Minnesota State University – Moorhead; St. Cloud State University; University of Minnesota – Twin Cities; and Winona State University

Students can apply for the Campus Scholarship now through Sept. 30. The scholarship application is available online only. Winners will be notified by Nov. 1, and funds can be used for the 2017-2018 school year.

Apply at: https://www.affinityplusfoundation.org/Scholarship/Campus-Scholarship

All part- or full-time students in good academic standing are eligible. Applicants must be a primary member of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and may submit and complete their membership application with their scholarship application. 

The foundation introduced the Campus Scholarship program in 2016 to increase support to students in the campus communities the Affinity Plus serves across Minnesota. The foundation received more than 120 scholarship applications in 2016. 

MEETING STUDENT NEEDS

Amy Hanson, Affinity Plus Foundation executive director, said the average Minnesota graduate departs four-year, post-secondary education with not only a degree in hand, but well over $30,000 in debt.

“Even at two-year institutions, we understand higher-education costs add up quickly and, unfortunately, we’ve seen students not complete their degrees due to financial reasons,” Hanson said. “The Campus Scholarship is just another way the Affinity Plus Foundation demonstrates our understanding of the need for financial support for college students as a stepping stone to their future financial success and opportunities.”

COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES

The foundation expanded the program to community and technical college students because of feedback from both students and communities, said Cary Tonne, Foundation board chair.

“Thousands of students attend Minnesota community and technical colleges each year, and the education they receive continues to bring value to the communities we serve. Growing the scholarship program just made good sense,” Tonne said.

Affinity Plus currently has branches on or near several university campuses, and credit-union staff often partner with instructors and student-services offices to provide financial education to students. Both the credit union and foundation also engage with community and technical colleges across the state with financial education and other outreach.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Affinity Plus Foundation is a 501(c)(3) serving Minnesota communities. Established in 2000, the foundation administers its own scholarship program, awards grants to non-profit groups and schools and supports financial education initiatives through partnerships, presentations and resources.

The Foundation operates on funds generated from its annual golf tournament, fishing tournament and silent auction. It also receives funding from the Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and donations from community members who believe in the impact and importance of financial education.

For more information about the foundation, or to support its efforts, please visit its website, contact the foundation at info@affinityplusfoundation.org or call (844) 493-4483.