SECU Foundation Bridge to Career Scholarship Application

This program helps remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials that lead to sustainable wage careers within their local communities. SECU Bridge to Career provides funding for $500 scholarships, to be awarded to up to 30 eligible students per year. Preference will be given to those students with limited or no access to financial aid from other programs.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for funding through the program, a student or prospective student must:

• Be a North Carolina resident
• Be enrolled or enrolling in a course(s) leading to a qualifying credential
• Be part of one of the following target groups: unemployed or underemployed, members of the NC National Guard, military veterans and spouses, or underserved populations in a specific workforce sector or area
• Not be a director, employee, or family member of an employee of the State Employees’ Credit Union or SECU Foundation

Poverty Guidelines can be found here: 200% poverty levels for 2024: NC DEQ

Annual income chart:

More information from ASPE

Student Biography:

Please write a short student biography to tell us more about yourself. These questions are optional but might help you respond.

• Tell us about your desire or need for this scholarship and any additional information that you think would be helpful.

• How will completing this program help you achieve your educational, career, and/or vocational goals?
  • Describe one of your proudest moments or accomplishments.
  • Tell us a little about you and your career goals.
  • Tell us about at least one way you help others or are involved in your community.
  • Describe someone who has had a big influence on your life? Why do you admire this person or what lessons did this person teach you?
  • What is your personal motto?

As a condition of the award, I give my consent to the release of my name, biographical statement, and image for publications written/distributed by the System Office, the local Community College, and/or the State Employees' Credit Union and the SECU Foundation. As condition of this award, it is my responsibility to notify the College of licensure, certification and/or job obtainment because of participation in this program. I further consent to be contacted after completion of my coursework to determine if my participation in the program assisted me in gaining certification and/or employment.

I attest I am not a director, employee, or family member of an employee or director of the State Employees' Credit Union or SECU Foundation.

RELEASE FOR USE OF NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS, PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS, SKETCHES, PLANS, WORK PRODUCT, VIDEO, AUDIO RECORDINGS, AND/OR QUOTES

I hereby grant permission to State Employees' Credit Union ("SECU"), its affiliates, and The State Employees' Credit Union Foundation, together referred to herein as the "Released Parties," to use the following information of student identified below: name, image, likeness, photographs, school enrollment information, scholarship receipt status, SECU membership status, drawings, sketches, plans, work product, video, audio recordings, and/or quotes for their communications, including but not limited to newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, fundraising letters, press releases and submissions to journalists, websites, social media platforms, and other print and digital communications without payment or other consideration. I acknowledge the Released Parties' right to crop, edit or otherwise treat the name, image, likeness, photographs, drawings, sketches, plans, work product, video, audio recordings, and/or quotes at their discretion. Further, if the student is a member of SECU, and/or has obtained products or services from SECU or any of its affiliates, I grant permission to the Released Parties to use information about the student's membership, and/or prior awards the student has obtained in their communications.

I also acknowledge that the Released Parties may choose not to use the student's name, image, likeness, photographs, drawings, sketches, plans, work product, video, audio recordings, quotes, and/or (if applicable) information related to the student's membership, and/or prior awards at this time but may choose to do SO at a later date at their discretion.

I hereby release, waive, remit, acquit, satisfy, forever discharge and agree to hold harmless the Released Parties and their respective past, present, and future directors, officers (whether acting in such capacity or individually), members, shareholders, owners, servants, partners, joint venturers, principals, trustees, creditors, attorneys, insurers, representatives, employees, independent contractors, managers, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, subdivisions, departments, affiliates, predecessors, successors, assigns and assignees, transferors, transferees, investors, nominees, and any agent acting or purporting to act for them or on their behalf from any and all claims, demands, damages, debts, liabilities, obligations, contracts, agreements, causes of action, suits, and costs, of whatever nature, character, or description, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, anticipated or unanticipated, which I may have or may hereafter have or claim to have against the Released Parties arising out of or relating in any way to the use of the student's name, image, likeness, photographs, drawings, sketches, plans, work product, video, audio recordings, quotes, and/or information related to the student's membership, and/or prior awards.

I have had sufficient time to review and seek explanation of the provisions contained above, I have carefully read and understand them, and I agree to be bound by them. I voluntarily and irrevocably give my consent and agree to this Release.

If you are under age 18 or DO NOT want to give your consent please contact Program Coordinator for an alternate form to complete.