SECU MD Grants Scholarships To 3 Anne Arundel County Students

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — SECU, Maryland’s largest state chartered credit union, awarded $115,000 to 28 students across the state attending a trade, technical school, college or university for the fall 2021 semester.

Becky Smith, executive director of the SECU MD Foundation, said the scholarship program is meant to alleviate the financial burden of earning a college degree and give more students an opportunity to pursue an education.

“Our Scholarship Program is built on the foundational tenet that cost shouldn’t serve as a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams,” Smith said in a company press release. “Instead, this is a bright opportunity that opens doors for the next generation of changemakers.”

As college students prepare to return to campus this fall, several barriers often stand in the way such as housing, student loans and the cost of tuition.

Annina Wells, environmental education student at Goucher College, said she experienced debt from student loans in the past, and contemplated not returning to school this semester because of it.

Fortunately, Wells received a scholarship from the SECU MD Foundation allowing her to continue her education this fall semester.

“I wouldn't have gone to college this semester if it wasn't for this scholarship. And so I'm just really grateful that it allowed me to go to college,” Wells said.

Wells is one of three scholarship winners from Anne Arundel County. The Anne Arundel County winners are:

• Annina Wells from Crofton, who will be attending Goucher College
• Jaden Buszinski from Millersville, who will be attending Berklee College of Music
• Jenna Wright from Severn, who will be attending Towson University

There were 28 total winners, with three grand prize winners bringing home $5,000 and 25 others securing $4,000.

The SECU MD Foundation’s scholarship program celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. Since 2007, SECU and the SECU MD Foundation have awarded over $700,000 in academic scholarships to over 250 Maryland students.

Sarah Ryan, assistant vice president of community outreach at SECU, said the foundation’s goal is to establish more financial opportunities for members of the community and the first step is providing academic scholarships for young adults.

“The heart of our mission is this desire to help create and nurture financial wellness in the community, and what better way to do that than help students and young adults start off with a strong financial start. So by giving them scholarships, we’re alleviating some of those costs associated with their education, and allowing them to pursue their higher education dreams with a little bit of support from the foundation.”

The foundation’s scholarship program for 2022 will launch next February. The scholarship program is open to all SECU members and their families. If you are interested in learning more about SECU and the SECU MD Foundation scholarship, visit secumd.org.