Tropical Financial Credit Union Awards $10,000 in Scholarships to South Florida Students
June 18, 2025
Tropical Financial Credit Union
Based in Miramar, Florida, Tropical Financial Credit Union is a member-owned not-for-profit financial institution.
The future is bright for three South Florida students, thanks to a boost from Tropical Financial Credit Union. TFCU is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Program, awarding a total of $10,000. This year's scholarships include one grand prize of $5,000 and two $2,500 awards, one of which is dedicated to a non-traditional student.
For over a
decade, Tropical Financial Credit Union has been committed to supporting local
students in their pursuit of higher education. The scholarship program aims to
ease the financial burden of tuition and help students achieve their academic
and professional goals.
The 2025
scholarship recipients are:
- Alexander Rodriguez, from Wellington, is the recipient of TFCU’s $5,000 scholarship. He graduated from Wellington Community High School and plans to attend the University of Central Florida to major in Civil Engineering. Alexander is involved in community service, accumulating over 700 hours through domestic and international mission trips with St. Peter's UMC, and serving as a Youth Basketball Coach and Math Lab Tutor.
- Vegas Burnett, from Miramar, is one of the two $2,500 scholarship winners. A student at The Gifted Academy at Plantation High School, Vegas intends to pursue a Double Major in Finance and Real Estate at Florida State University. He is a member of the National Honor Society and earned a Broward County Athletics Championship Medal in Track.
- Jaileen De Freitas, from Miramar, is TFCU’s $2,500 scholarship winner in the Non-Traditional Student category. Currently a senior at Howard University, Jaileen is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics and Criminology. She plans to attend law school and become a corporate lawyer, aiming to help businesses operate ethically and responsibly.
"Our
scholarship program is a vital way for us to invest in the future of our
members and the broader community," said Rick Shaw, president and CEO of
Tropical Financial Credit Union. "It's inspiring to see the dedication and
ambition of these young individuals, and we are thrilled to support them as
they embark on their academic journeys.”
All
applicants were required to submit an essay detailing their personal and
educational objectives and how Tropical Financial has helped, or could help,
them reach financial goals. Community involvement, charity work, and
extracurricular activities were also key factors in the selection process.