Ignite My Future Scholarship
Meet the 2024 Ignite My Future Scholarship Winners
We received applications from many passionate, dedicated teen members. Making a final selection is always difficult, and this year was a particularly challenging task with so many well-qualified applications. We’re tremendously proud to see so many teens dedicating their time to our communities and the people in them.
Now, let’s meet our 2024 Ignite My Future Scholarship winners…
Samantha Sunderhaft | Kenston High School
Samantha has been a committed volunteer for over a decade. She is a regular part of BREATHE at Holy Angel’s Church, where she serves as a program guide and companion to special needs children. She raises money for the “A Kid Again” charity and gives back to her community as a Girl Scout. But Samantha found a true calling in the wake of the pandemic when she observed the staggering impact that isolation and new anxieties had on the mental health of her fellow students. Through research, planning, and community collaborations, Samantha organized a week of mental health awareness and support during suicide prevention month. Her efforts brought in therapy dogs and donated chair massages, easily accessed resources on suicide prevention, and even an expert guest speaker. With a continued emphasis on mental health, Samantha continues her quest to spread the message that “every mind matters.”
Logan Bass | Firelands High School
Logan began his pursuit of volunteering in elementary school. While his parents played a crucial role in promoting the value of volunteering, seeing the joy and enthusiasm on the faces of his peers during volunteer-run book fairs at school cemented just how important it is to give back. Since then, Logan has been a volunteering jack-of-all-trades; gravitating towards whatever project needed the most support. His passion for service has directed him into scouting, with many hours spent in the Boy Scouts of America on a path toward becoming an Eagle Scout. “One of the best ways to have an impact on my community is to become a better leader and start leading by example,” says Logan.
Supporting Students
Are you a teen with a passion for supporting the community? You may be eligible for the Ignite My Future Scholarship, available exclusively for Club Ignite members. Each year, FFCCU will award two (2) $1,000 scholarships to deserving high-school students. Our 2024 application period has closed and winners will be announced April 15, 2024. The application period for our 2025 scholarship award runs from December 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025.
KUDOS!
FFCCU made wrapping up my new car loan as easy as anyone could ever hope! What more can you ask for?! Thanks, Firefighters Community Credit Union, always!
-Dawn B.
Wow!!! You give me the best customer service!!! I’m an 8-year Member and can say my Credit Union performs like nothing else. They take such a personal interest in all my issues, great and small.
-David W.
Melissa G. is the BESSSSSSSSTTTTTTT!! She helped me beyond the call of duty AND was super pleasant about it. My experiences at FFCCU are always good, and Melissa is great!!
-William M.
Clicked the “Live Chat” button, asked my question, got my answer literally within a minute. THIS is what support from a banking institution should be like. Thanks so much for your help!
-Ryan M.
Shared branching lets me, as a member of an out-of-town credit union, access FFCCU’s services. I have never had a bad experience working with FFCCU and appreciate that they have helped me make large d...
-Paul P.
I’d like to give Kudos to Sue Whitt!! She always made herself available to answer phone calls, was prompt in providing documents in a way convenient to my work schedule, and found an expedited resolut...
-Frank D.
I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany Zifcak as I was selling one of my cars being financed by FFCCU. There were several tricky circumstances, and Tiffany was awesome. She stayed on top of all th...
-John G.
Jashira got me all set up with opening a new account and linking it to the old one – all over live chat. Super knowledgeable and took less than 10 minutes! Thanks so much for your help!
-Michele
The FFCCU team went above and beyond to help my 16-year-old get onto her mobile app. They were very helpful and kind. Definitely #peoplehelpingpeople and #CUDifference!
-Donna P.
Thank you to LeeAnn, for the prompt response to my online question. Our family has benefited from over 30 years of outstanding service with Firefighters Community Credit Union.
-Jeffery K.
Thank you to Tonja, who was very professional, organized, and helpful in processing a refinance. The entire team has been the best experience in service out there.
-Dan F.
I give Kudos to the entire awesome credit union staff – especially to Karen, LeeAnn, Jashira, and Beverly. Excellent service! I am so glad to be a member.
-Maxine J.
Rules and Eligibility Information
- Applicants in grade 12 must be planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or accredited trade or vocational school.
- Students in grades 9-11 must be planning to attend a tuition-based high-school or taking courses for college credit, with out of pocket tuition expenses, in the upcoming fall semester.
- The scholarship money is applied to the upcoming fall semester tuition.
- ALL requested information must be received for application to be considered.
- Scholarship funds will be made payable to the institution specified by the winners.
- Scholarship winners must agree to allow their name and information to be published by the credit union for promotional purposes.
- This is not a one-time scholarship. However, applicants must complete a new application to be considered for each academic year.
Additional Info to Know
FFCCU employees and board members, and their immediate family members (siblings, parents/guardians or grandparents, or any family members living in the same household) are not eligible.
The selection committee, comprised of FFCCU Board Members and Teammates, will individually evaluate each application without identifying information. Applicants will be considering community involvement, essay, and cumulative GPA. The selection committee will not review any additional information given. FFCCU will complete a scoring sheet for each application by each selection committee member. The highest scoring applicants will move to a final round where FFCCU judge panels will determine the winners.
Please follow the submission instructions outlined on the application webpage, available 12/1/23. Applicants must submit electronically. FFCCU will not consider applications delivered in person. If you do not follow directions thoroughly, your application will not be considered. The complete application must include all the required supplements. Students must submit their applications no later than January 31, 2024.
FFCCU will notify only winners of the Ignite My Future Scholarship. Checks will be made payable to the educational institution that the applicant has chosen to attend and mailed directly to that institution. Firefighters Community Credit Union asks that each recipient allow the credit union to use their name and photograph in promotional materials and press releases.