PenFinancial Credit Union presented a $25,000 donation to Niagara College October 19 that will establish a scholarship to support community-minded, local students.

A total of $5,000 in PenFinancial Credit Union Scholarships will be awarded annually. The $1,000 scholarships will be presented at the start of all three annual terms (Fall, Winter, Spring) to a student from a Niagara region high school entering any Niagara College post-secondary or graduate program. The award is intended to support students who are actively volunteering their time to support a Niagara-based organization that is building strong, caring and inclusive communities.

“As a truly local financial institution, we are proud to celebrate Niagara youth who are making a difference by volunteering their time and talent to organizations across our communities,” said Bob Watson, PenFinancial Credit Union’s CEO. “Niagara is our home and we are committed to encouraging our next generation to continue to support not-for-profits that are building strong, caring and inclusive communities.

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be a graduate of a high school in the Niagara region, and hold a minimum 75 percent academic average. Applicants will also be required to submit a one-page essay that describes how the award will help them in their studies, along with their volunteer activities.

“Like PenFinancial Credit Union, we place a high-value on community service and we provide many opportunities for our students to do work that enhances the lives of others,” said Niagara College president Dan Patterson. “We’re very grateful for PenFinancial’s generous support, which will help our students succeed.”

The first PenFinancial Credit Union Scholarship will be presented in January, 2016. For the next five years, two incoming students will receive the scholarships at the start of the Fall and Winter terms, and one incoming student will receive the scholarship at the start of the Spring term.