Ascentra awards $11,000 in scholarships

The Ascentra Scholarship Program has awarded its 2024 scholarships to 11 area student members of the credit union. 

The future leaders were selected to receive $1,000 each to help get one step closer to achieving their academic and professional goals, the Bettendorf credit union said in a news release.

Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to traditional high school students planning to enter college; five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to non-traditional students, aged 19 or over, planning to attend college or earn an advanced degree; and one $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a student entering a trades program.

The Ascentra Scholarship Program is unique in that students can apply every year they are enrolled in an accredited institution or program. 

This year’s traditional scholarship winners are:

  • Luke Gustafson of Rock Island.
  • Luke Christensen of Bettendorf.
  • Isabelle Bolton of  Camanche, Iowa.
  • Antonio Vazquez of Moline.
  • Tyler Nels of Bettendorf.

The non-traditional or continuing education winners are:

  • Barbara Manley of Fulton, Illinois.
  • Emma Thalacker of Davenport.
  • Addison Knox of Milan.
  • Dakota Keller of Fairbanks, Alaska.
  • Thomas Cunningham of Long Grove, Iowa.

The vocational school or trades program winner is: Evan Boldt of Davenport.

The competition is announced every October with a deadline of the end of March the following year.

“With the rising costs in post-secondary education, it’s more important than ever for employers to get involved in helping tomorrow’s workforce have a more financially stable start to their careers,” Ascentra Credit Union President and CEO Linda Andry said in the release. “Ascentra is honored to be a part of these students’ futures and to help them reach their post-secondary goals.”

The Ascentra Scholarship Program began in 1997 and has awarded $150,000 in scholarships since its inception.

To learn more about this year’s winners, the official scholarship program rules and other scholarship opportunities, visit ascentra.org/scholarships.

Get the free QCBJ email newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the people, companies and issues that impact business in the  Quad Cities area.