LAFCU contest deadline approaching, $20K in scholarships up for grabs

Attention, Michigan high school seniors! The deadline for LAFCU’s Write to Educate Essay Contest is fast approaching. Students have until March 31 to submit a one-page, 500-word essay for a chance to win one of four $5,000 college scholarships for a total of $20,000. LAFCU will also donate $500 to each winner’s charity of choice for an additional $2,000.

This year’s essay topic is, ‘How has the place you have grown up molded you into the person you are today and impacted your life?”

Winners will not be judged based on academic performance or financial need; neither factor is considered in the selection process. LAFCU will only use the one-page essays to determine the winners. Also, Michigan high school students can enter regardless of whether they are members of LAFCU.

"LAFCU's Write to Educate Essay Contest is a fantastic opportunity because it encourages students to use their voices and share their perspectives on important or unique topics, rather than emphasize traditional metrics like GPA or lengthy application processes," said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU's chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer. "LAFCU knows that students have to juggle so many things daily, from extracurricular activities to part-time jobs to different family dynamics, so we want to provide inclusive opportunities that even the playing field and allow everyone the same chance to win these scholarships."

Entries must be 500 words, typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced and with one-inch margins. Essays that do not meet the 500-word count or exceed one page will be excluded from scoring. Winning essays will be published in the Lansing State Journal, community sponsor of the contest.

Additional information, including submission rules and guidelines, is available online at www.lafcu.com/writetoeducate.

Chartered in 1936, LAFCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative open for membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Michigan and to businesses and other entities located in Michigan. The credit union serves 74,000 members and holds over $1 billion in assets. Named a Best Credit Union to Work For, LAFCU offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services as well as an expanding complement of financial technology solutions. Members enjoy benefits such as low fees, low interest rates on loans, high yields on savings, discounts, knowledgeable employees and nationwide access to fee-free ATMs. A recipient of the national Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award for credit unions, LAFCU enriches the communities it serves by supporting many organizations and causes. To learn more about LAFCU, visit www.lafcu.com.