Celebrating Our Rising Minds: Meet Our 2025 Scholarship Winners

This year marked an exciting milestone for Madison Credit Union — the launch of our $1,000 Rising Minds Scholarship, designed to support our members as they pursue their educational dreams.

Initially, we planned to offer one $1,000 scholarship open to all applicants. However, after reviewing the impressive range and quality of applications we received, we realized that one award wasn’t enough to recognize the talent and dedication of our members. As a result, we expanded the program to include two $1,000 scholarships in distinct categories:

• Emerging Scholars — for high school seniors just beginning their higher education journey.
• Returning Scholars — for members continuing or returning to school to further their education.

We’re proud to introduce our inaugural recipients:

🌟 2025 Emerging Scholar: Elizabeth S.
Elizabeth, a recent high school graduate, just began her studies at Winona State University, where she’s working toward a degree in Recreation and Tourism. Her dream is to “lead outdoor expeditions and share [her] love of nature” — a goal that she has built towards through 4H Camp, YMCA’s Camp Manito-wish, and Girl Scouts.

🌟 2025 Returning Scholar: Jasmine W.
Jasmine is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at North Carolina Central University. Her goal is to become a licensed clinical elementary school social worker and trauma-informed consultant, helping young students find support, understanding, and resilience. Her dedication to making a difference in children’s lives truly embodies the heart of our community.

We’re honored to celebrate Elizabeth and Jasmine for their hard work, determination, and commitment to making a positive impact — and we can’t wait to see where their paths lead next!

Apply for the 2026 Rising Minds Scholarship

If there’s an emerging or returning scholar in your family, encourage them to apply for our 2026 Rising Minds Scholarship. Applications will open April 20, 2026, and close on July 8, 2026.

To qualify, candidates must:

• Be a member in good standing of Madison Credit Union for at least six months from the application deadline (by July 8, 2026)
• Have activity on their Madison Credit Union account within the two months prior to the deadline
• Be accepted to an accredited higher education institution
• Be eligible for graduation at the end of the 2026–2027 school year or have already graduated from high school
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

If your student isn’t a member yet, it’s never too early to start! Opening a youth account (Savings and/or Teen Checking) is quick and easy — and it helps set the foundation for smart financial habits and future opportunities like this scholarship.

If you are already an MCU member—click here to easily open a Youth Account here or directly from online banking.

We can’t wait to see our next group of Rising Minds shine!