Volunteers cleaning up outside with trashbags

Virgil C. Scott, Honorary Scholarship for Volunteer Community Service

This scholarship is in honor of Virgil C. Scott, “Scotty,” a former veteran, educator, and an influential member of the local community and credit union. As a high school teacher and coach for 37 years, Scotty motivated his students not only to succeed academically, but also to apply what they learned inside the classroom to opportunities within the community. He personally volunteered his time as a member of the Board of Directors at Hidden River Credit Union when it was known as Schuylkill County School Employees Credit Union. Scotty recognized the importance of local support and making a difference for others. He was a credit union advocate for well over 30 years, last serving as the credit union’s Treasurer.

For those that knew him, “Scotty” lived and demonstrated the values of volunteer service to others as well as the community in which he lived. Scotty’s affection for people and service to his country, community, church, and credit union, as well as countless students and athletes over his long career were noteworthy.

The credit union philosophy of “people helping people” could really be seen in Scotty. This is proven by his long career of volunteerism and service. Because of his legacy of service to others, the credit union’s Board of Directors, authorized a scholarship in his memory.

Eligibility

  • Open to all high school seniors graduating in the year of application who are credit union members or are children of credit union members and will be attending an accredited post secondary school, college, university or vocational school in the Fall.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in a college preparatory, business or vocational curriculum.
  • Demonstrated record of active volunteer service within the community in which he or she lives and strong desire to continue to serve within a volunteer capacity.
  • Children of Hidden River Credit Union employees, staff, volunteer committee or members of the Board of Directors are ineligible for the scholarship award.
  • The primary basis for awarding the scholarship is demonstrating enthusiasm for volunteer community service in which the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” is recognized.

Requirements

    • Complete, sign, and submit scholarship application (available below) by the April 15th deadline of each year.
    • Attach a copy of the applicant’s high school transcripts through the last semester (quarter) prior to the April 15th deadline.
    • Submit a typed essay of 500 words or less describing how the applicant has been affected, developed, or impacted by their previous volunteer service, or how the applicant has impacted the person or organization in which they served prior to the April 15th deadline.
    • Include two letters of recommendation, not to exceed two pages, for each applicant from a personal mentor, leader, teacher, coach, or community or organization leader who is NOT a family member. Each letter should describe in detail the efforts and contributions toward service of the applicant. These letters must be received prior to the April 15th deadline.
    • Completed applications must be postmarked prior to the April 15th deadline and all materials submitted with the application will not be returned. All scholarship recipients will be notified by mail within 30 days of the application deadline and will be publicly announced upon acceptance.
    • Please submit all paperwork to:

Hidden River Credit Union
ATTN: Virgil C. Scott Scholarship
60 Westwood Road
Pottsville, PA 17901

Application Process

HRCU will award a $1,500 Virgil C. Scott Volunteer Community Service Scholarship Award to two (2) member applicants planning to attend an accredited post-secondary school, college, university, or vocational school beginning study in the Fall of the award year. Awards will be payable to recipient. Previous award recipients will be ineligible to apply in the future.

Apply for a Scholarship!