You First Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by You First Foundation

Description
**Purpose:** The You First Foundation Scholarship provides targeted educational support for students whose lives have been disrupted by traumatic medical events. The program helps remove financial barriers so recipients can pursue postsecondary education and training. Administered by the You First Foundation — a charitable organization tied to First Service Credit Union employees — the award focuses on families and individuals directly affected by serious medical trauma.

Key takeaways
- Supports students impacted by traumatic medical events.
- Administered by the You First Foundation (affiliated with First Service Credit Union employees).
- Intends to remove financial obstacles to continued education.
- Open to learners at different stages of postsecondary study.

History of the award
**Founding and mission:** The You First Foundation was created by employees of First Service Credit Union after the loss of a coworker to a brain aneurysm. The foundation’s mission is to improve lives and educational opportunities for those adversely affected by traumatic medical events. Since launching the scholarship program, the foundation has invested more than $361,000 in student aid.

Key takeaways
- Founded by First Service Credit Union employees after a coworker’s passing.
- Mission centers on helping people affected by traumatic medical events.
- Over $361,000 awarded to date.
- Scholarship established in direct response to a workplace tragedy.

Eligibility
**Who qualifies:** Applicants must be Texas residents whose education or lives have been adversely affected by a traumatic medical event. Eligible candidates are high school graduates or GED recipients who are enrolled in — or plan to enroll in — an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational school in the United States. Both part-time and full-time students may apply, and applicants must meet the minimum 2.7 GPA requirement.

Key takeaways
- Must be a Texas resident.
- High school graduate or GED required.
- Must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited U.S. college, university, or vocational school.
- Minimum GPA: 2.7.
- Applicants must have been adversely affected by a traumatic medical event.

Award value and disbursement
**Amount and payment method:** The scholarship awards individual recipients up to $6,000. Awards are issued directly to the recipient’s educational institution rather than to the student. The foundation funds are intended to cover educational costs at accredited institutions.

Key takeaways
- Maximum award per recipient: $6,000.
- Scholarship funds are paid directly to the school.
- Applicable to accredited colleges, universities, and vocational programs.
- Amount awarded may vary by recipient and available funding.

Application requirements
**Required materials:** Applicants must demonstrate eligibility with academic and verification materials. The program requires a minimum 2.7 GPA and submission of two letters of recommendation. If the applicant has postsecondary coursework, college or vocational school transcripts should be included as applicable.

Key takeaways
- Two letters of recommendation required.
- Submit college or vocational transcripts when applicable.
- Must meet the 2.7 minimum GPA requirement.
- Additional documentation to verify enrollment or plan to enroll may be requested.

Application timeline and selection
**Cycle and review process:** The scholarship operates on an annual cycle; specific application windows and deadlines are set by the You First Foundation each year. Applications are reviewed against the eligibility criteria and submitted materials, and recipients are selected by the foundation’s review process. Award notifications and institutional disbursement follow the conclusion of the selection cycle.

Key takeaways
- Scholarship follows an annual application cycle.
- Deadlines and details published by the You First Foundation.
- Selection based on eligibility and submitted documentation.
- Recipients are notified after review; funds disbursed to institutions.

How to prepare and next steps
**Getting ready to apply:** Prospective applicants should confirm Texas residency and academic standing, gather two recommendation letters, and collect any applicable transcripts before the application window opens. Monitor the You First Foundation or First Service Credit Union channels for official application instructions and deadlines. Prepare a clear explanation of how a traumatic medical event affected the applicant’s education or family circumstances.

Key takeaways
- Verify residency and GPA eligibility before applying.
- Assemble two recommendation letters and transcripts (if applicable).
- Watch foundation communications for application launch and deadline.
- Prepare a concise statement describing the impact of the medical event.