WATFORD CITY, ND – February 20, 2020 - Expanding its annual tradition, Dakota West Credit Union is accepting scholarship applications from both high school seniors and current college students throughout the communities it serves. The western Dakota credit union also welcomes applicants who will be attending trade schools in the fall.

Four $500 scholarships will be awarded to members of Dakota West Credit Union through an essay competition focusing on the financial institution’s values: Communication, Respectfulness, Positive Attitude, and Responsibility. “Our values represent the level of service we strive to provide to our members and our communities. For the students currently working their way through college or finalizing their post-secondary plans, we want to live our values by contributing to their futures and their success,” Juliet Jones, Marketing Coordinator for Dakota West Credit Union offered when asked about the purpose of the scholarship expansion.

Students must be already attending a two- or four-year college, be enrolled in a trade school program into late 2020, or graduating high school this spring to be eligible. Students also must be a member at any of the eight branches of Dakota West Credit Union, and submit an essay based on one of the values of the non-profit credit union headquartered in Watford City, North Dakota.

“This year’s essay topic focuses on communication, which will be a large part of both national and global topics this year, as well as in the future,” believes Jones. “We look forward to reviewing their thoughts on the subject and helping four deserving students grow in their education and careers.”

Established in 1941, each of the Dakota West Credit Union branches and its members and employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities. Offering scholarships to students within its communities continues its focus on this growth through the next generation.

Applications for the scholarship are available on the Dakota West Credit Union website at www.dakotawestcu.com/members. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 10, 2020 with winners announced on Friday, May 15 on Dakota West Credit Union’s Facebook page.

Dakota West is also offering Teacher Financial Education Grants to promote personal financial responsibility for all students in the communities it serves. The deadline for teachers to apply for these grants is Monday, February 24.

With branches throughout west and central North Dakota, including Watford City, Dakota West Credit Union is dedicated to helping its members grow with comprehensive, competitive financial products partnered with personal, professional service. To learn more about its services and communities, visit www.dakotawestcu.com/members/.