TAMPA, FL, October 2021: A cornerstone of GTE Financial is community contributions; the credit union performs this by supporting education and rewarding annual scholarships to young adults who dedicate themselves to academic pursuits and community involvement. GTE has supported the community’s best and brightest for the past ten years, awarding 320 scholarships totaling more than $800,000.
GTE Financial recently awarded 24 students $2,500 scholarships. Winners are selected based on their quality of community work, performance on a rigorous, written essay, academic merit, and work experience. With a total of $60,000 given away, students awarded scholarships can apply that amount towards tuition, fees, books, and other supplies required to pursue their undergraduate degree.
“Receiving this scholarship has helped me immensely throughout my scholastic career and has helped me pay for my tuition, books, and dorm expenses, says Elisabell Velazquez, a three-time GTE scholarship winner, and graduating senior. “The GTE Financial scholarship has helped me in achieving my academic goals with no debt. I am appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to using this 2021 scholarship to help me in my college education.”
The 24 well-deserving students attended a virtual award ceremony with GTE Financial’s judging panel. GTE has some of the most influential leaders throughout Tampa Bay volunteer, including Rhea Law, who is Honorary Chair and has been with the program since its inception. Every year, the judging panel collectively reads over hundreds of essay submissions, looking for those students who genuinely show a passion for giving back to their community.
If you are interested in GTE Financial’s Scholarship program for 2022, applications are accepted each year from February through June, with winners announced in August. Applicants must be GTE Financial members and submit the required essay, academic achievements, proof of community involvement, and more. High school seniors and college undergraduates that meet these criteria or are interested in learning more are encouraged to apply at gtefinancial.org/personal/for-students/student-scholarships.
About GTE Financial
GTE Financial is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $2 billion in assets and 23 Community Financial Centers located throughout West Central Florida. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 230,000 individuals and businesses. More information on GTE Financial can be found at gtefinancial.org.
For more information, interviews, or media requests, please call (813) 644-7443 or email Savannah Cruz at pr@bkncreative.com.
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