First Financial Credit Union’s Scholarship Program has been established to recognize and assist graduating high school students. First Financial will award up to twenty-five (25) $500 non-renewable scholarships to First Financial members who are 2008 high school graduating seniors and plan to attend any accredited College, University, Community College, Trade School or Technical School in the fall of 2008. In addition, applicants must have obtained (1) a 3.0 or better accumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) to be submitted on an official high school semester transcript, and (2) a composite score of 20 on the ACT or a 1500 Board Score on the SAT, submitted on official documentation.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a First Financial member* in good standing or meet membership eligibility requirements and join the credit union prior to submitting a scholarship application form.
• Applicant must be accepted as an incoming freshman at an accredited College, University, Community College, Trade School or Technical School.
• Scholarship recipients must maintain their membership with First Financial throughout award period.
• Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicant must submit an official high school transcript.
• Applicant must submit a copy of the letter of acceptance from an accredited College, University, Community College, Trade School or Technical school of choice.
• Applicant must complete and sign an official application form. Applications, essays and references become the property of First Financial Credit Union. We reserve the right to use the recipient’s name, photo, and excerpts of any essay or attachments in promotional material and official applications.
• Applicants must submit a typed essay relating to the topic(s) indicated on the scholarship application form.
• Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, principal or counselor (excluding immediate family and/or relatives).
• Any falsification of application or attachment(s) to the application will cause the candidate to become ineligible for scholarship consideration.

• Your application will not be considered if:

• Arrives after the postmarked date (deadline); or
• Incomplete application package and/or you do not follow the rules (including not having a postmarked date – no applications will be considered if they are delivered to a branch)

Judging
Judging will be conducted by a panel of impartial judges selected by First Financial’s Board of Directors and/or their designees.

Applications will be broken down and judged by looking at five different categories:  (1) ACT or SAT composite score, (2) GPA, (3) extra-curricular activities, (4) essay question response (including spelling, grammar, clarity, punctuation and meaningful content), and (5) recommendations. Each applicant will be given a score in each category. The top 25 scores will be the recipients of First Financial Credit Union’s $500 scholarships.

Award Notification & Disbursement

Recipients will be notified by mail (or phone call) to their permanent address by August 8, 2008. In addition, notification will be sent to the school’s guidance counselor.

Funds will be made payable to the student.

Apply Now!
Scholarship Program Application (PDF)

All decisions are final and at the sole discretion of the First Financial Selection Committee. Only recipients will be notified.

All information provided as part of this application will be kept in complete confidence. Funds from the scholarships will be presented to the chosen individuals upon receipt of proof of enrollment at an accredited College, University, Community College, Trade School or Technical School. Scholarship winners may use scholarship funds to defray the cost of tuition, room and board, and/or books and supplies. The checks will be made payable to the student.

*Relatives of First Financial employees and volunteers are not eligible.