$15,000 TO BE AWARDED TO CHESTER COUNTY-AREA STUDENTS

WEST CHESTER, PA – Affordability of a college education is a major issue in the 2016 presidential election. What smart strategies are you using to pay for college, and what do you recommend to other students and their families?

The best answers to that question could be the ticket to a college scholarship for five (5) lucky high school senior and existing college students. Benchmark Federal Credit Union has opened a call for entries to Chester County-area students as well as our existing membership to compete for five (5) scholarships totaling $15,000. The scholarships will be awarded to three (3) graduating high school senior students and two (2) students currently enrolled in an accredited higher-education institution.

“Financing higher education is a major undertaking, and today’s mobile banking now makes it possible for students to take their Chester County credit union with them, wherever they go to college,” says David LaSala, Benchmark President and CEO. “We hope to lessen the financial burden for these deserving students and their families. Providing scholarships is a key part of Benchmark’s philanthropic initiative to support financial awareness and success strategies throughout Chester County.”

Three (3) graduating high school senior students will each receive a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 during the fall semester of each of his or her first four years of higher education). Two (2) existing college students will each receive a one-time $1,500 scholarship toward their fall 2016 tuition.

Essays of up to 750 words must be submitted by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2016 and will be judged by an independent panel of community and education leaders. Winners will be notified by June 1, 2016. The scholarship program is open to students who are or are eligible to become Benchmark FCU members, and do so prior to the contest deadline. The minimal membership fee to join the credit union is $5.00.

For rules, official cover sheet and membership information, visit: www.benchmarkfcu.org.

About Benchmark Federal Credit Union

Since 1940, Benchmark Federal Credit Union has provided its members with complete financial services including free checking accounts, vacation and holiday club accounts, loans, certificates, money market accounts and individual retirement accounts at three conveniently located branches in West Chester, Great Valley, and Collegeville. Benchmark also offers home banking, online bill payer, account-to-account transfers (A2A), remote deposit anywhere (RDA), mobile banking (FREE apps for iPhone & Android), direct deposit, and instant issue debit/ATM cards. As of April 10, 2015, we expanded our field of membership and now anyone who lives, worships, works, or attends school in Chester County, PA is eligible to join Benchmark FCU. For more information, call (610) 429-1600 or visit www.benchmarkfcu.org.

Media Contact:

Ellen Langas, NouSoma Communications

Office: 610-658-5889 • Cell: 610-256-2946 • ellen@nousoma.com

Kristen Stewart, NouSoma Communications

Office: 610-658-5889 • Cell: 215-508-3004 • Kristen@nousoma.com