In the Community

Beacon Student Scholarships

Invest in your future with student scholarships from Beacon Credit Union, offering financial assistance to help students achieve their education and career goals across Central and Southwest Virginia.

A smiling young Asian woman holding a blue notebook and backpack stands in focus in front of a brick building, with diverse students holding books blurred in the background.

Beacon Student Scholarship Deadline is April 9, 2027

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Beacon Student Scholarships

Deadline is Friday, April 9th, 2027

2027 Beacon Scholarships are here. Click the link below to apply online. Good luck to all of this year’s applicants.

Beacon believes that children in our community and their futures are the most important investments we can make. Each year we give away scholarships to students within our membership to assist them in their educational journey.

Scholarship Eligibility & Requirements

Application Guidelines & Regulations

Guidelines:
Beacon Credit Union is proud to support the educational goals of our high school members. Any graduating high school member, or child of a member, who meets the eligibility requirements may apply. Six high school graduates will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to assist with higher education costs.

Purpose:
To help ease the financial burden of continuing education for our members.

Amount:
Six scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $2,500 each.

Eligibility:
A Beacon Credit Union member or child of a member qualifies for the Beacon Scholarship if they meet the following criteria:

  • Is graduating from high school (or an approved home school) located in the Beacon Credit Union membership area.
  • Has been a member in good standing for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline.
  • Has a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Is planning to pursue higher education at an accredited institution, college, or certified technical/vocational school.

All applications and required materials must be submitted online no later than the below deadline.

Schools:
Scholarship recipients must provide proof of acceptance to an accredited university, college, or certified technical/vocational school before funds are disbursed.

Application:
Please complete and submit the online application form, including all required documents, by the deadline listed below.

Essays:
Please read the above essay instructions dropdown.

Deadline:
All applications and supporting documents must be submitted online no later than Friday, April 9th, 2027.

Judges & Awards:
The Scholarship Committee will appoint and/or serve as judges for scholarship awards. Recipients are selected on the basis of personal qualifications and school records. Decisions of the judges are final.

Notification of Winners:
Scholarship recipients will be notified of the judges’ decisions no later than April 27th, 2027. Details about the Annual Meeting, where the scholarships will be awarded, will be included. Funds will be available for the Fall 2027 semester.

Regulations: 

  • Scholarship funds must be used for tuition and related school expenses at an accredited university, college, or certified technical/vocational school.
  • Recipients may accept other scholarship assistance in addition to this award.
  • The scholarship must be used for the fall semester of the year it is awarded, unless an extenuating circumstance (such as illness or injury) is reported and approved. Funds may be held in abeyance for up to one year.
  • If the recipient discontinues studies, Beacon Credit Union must be notified within 10 days. The Scholarship Committee will then determine eligibility for continued use of the funds. Any unused or misused funds may need to be refunded.
  • If the recipient does not attend school within a month following the award date, the Scholarship will be withdrawn and awarded to an alternate applicant.
  • All submitted information remains confidential and is the property of Beacon Credit Union.
  • Applicant names will not be revealed to judges during the evaluation process.

Please read the information below carefully before starting your online application to ensure you are fully prepared.

Gather the Following Information:
You will be prompted to enter or upload the items below as part of your online application. All materials must be submitted to Beacon Credit Union’s secure online application form by the deadline for your application to be considered.

Contact Information: Basic contact information such as name, phone number, etc.

Account Information: Beacon Credit Union account information for either the applicant or the applicant’s parent (or both). This is used to verify membership eligibility.

High School Transcripts: Sealed high school transcripts mailed to Beacon Credit Union by your guidance counselor (unofficial transcripts can be uploaded in the application portal, but may not be considered).

Activities and Honors: School Activities, Athletics and Club Memberships; Honors, Awards, Scholarships and Grants Received; Community Service and Volunteer Positions.

Universities and Colleges: A list of universities, colleges or technical/vocational schools that you have applied to or plan to attend.

References: Contact information for 3 references who can speak to your character, academics, or community involvement (example: teachers, employers, mentors, etc. preferably not immediate family).

Essay: An essay submission is required along with your application. Essays can be completed in the form of a written essay, a video, artwork, or photography. Read the essay instruction section below for more information.

Note: All essay content should be original and the thoughts and opinions of the student. AI should only be used when editing, revising or formatting your essay.

Choose one essay topic from the options below.

  1. Aliens are taking over the planet and the only way to reason with them is to hand them one book and ask them to read it. Which would you choose and why?
  2. Describe a time in your life when you failed at something but learned from the experience.
  3. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others?

Applicants may submit an essay in one of the following formats:

– Creative Writing
– Video
– Artwork
– Photography

Each format requirement is listed below. Only one submission type will be accepted per application.

Creative Writing Essay
400 words or less. A space will be provided to type or paste your essay.

Video Essay
3 minutes or less. Supply a YouTube or Vimeo link in your online application.

Artwork Essay
One PDF or JPG document. Upload your submission in your online application.

Photography Essay
Single photo or series that may contain up to no more than 3 photos. Upload your submission in your online application.

Have you read the guidelines above? Click here to get started on your application.

Our Scholarships

We give these scholarships away in honor of the following people who’ve been influential to Beacon throughout the years.

  • Garland H. Huffman
  • Thomas R. Turpin
  • Hugh E. Wills
  • Thomas M. Rogers
  • B.C. Elliott Jr.
  • Frances Walker
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Beacon Student Scholarship Options
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Learn more about Beacon Credit Union, our mission, our people, and how we’re committed to serving members and strengthening communities across Central and Southwest Virginia.

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