Ardent Credit Union opens 2023 scholarship contest

Ardent Credit Union has begun accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship contest, which once again requires a video, rather than an essay from applicants. The credit union will award one $5,000 scholarship and four $2,500 scholarships to students entering their first year of higher education.

Now in its 13th year, the scholarship program has awarded $144,000 in scholarships since its inception in 2010, according to a press release.

The annual scholarship contest is open to Ardent members that are 2022 or 2023 high school graduates, entering their first year of higher education in the fall 2023 term. Winners of the 2022 contest represented high schools throughout the Philadelphia region.

“Last year, we changed up our scholarship contest to require a video instead of a written essay, and the creativity on display was astounding. We can’t wait to see what this year’s applicants bring to the table,” Rob Werner, president and CEO of Ardent said, in a statement. “I’m proud to say that our scholarship program has celebrated well-rounded students in the Philadelphia region for more than 10 years. It is a huge part of our commitment to the communities we call home.”

To apply, candidates must submit a “viral-worthy” video demonstrating why they should be awarded an Ardent scholarship.

“This includes highlighting academic accomplishments, personal stories, community involvement, and athletic and extracurricular activities,” the release stated.

Each video should be between 30 seconds and two minutes in length, and should exclude any logos or copyrighted material such as music.

The deadline for submission of videos is April 14, and winners will be notified by the end of May.

To be eligible, applicants must be members of Ardent and accepted to an accredited two or four-year college, university, technical, trade or business school. Students who are not yet Ardent members, but are eligible for membership, can join before applying for the scholarship.

More information about the scholarships and the application process can be found at ardentcu.org/scholarship.

Ardent Credit Union membership is open to those that live, work, worship, volunteer or go to school in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Eligibility is also open to relatives of current Ardent members including: parent, sibling, grandparent, spouse, child, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild or stepsibling.