Unlocking Futures: Affinity Plus Credit Union Scholarships - Requirements and Opportunities
The Affinity Plus Foundation is dedicated to ending cycles of financial inequity. By focusing on housing stability, financial wellbeing, food security and access to education, the organization invests in various programs and initiatives to build stronger local communities across Minnesota. Higher education opens doors not just for individuals, but for entire communities. Education is a great equalizer for financial inclusion and success.
Empowering Students Through Scholarships
The Affinity Plus Foundation has provided nearly $245,000 in scholarships to student members of Affinity since its founding in 2005. The Affinity Plus Foundation is an independent grant-making foundation affiliated with Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. Since its inception in 2000, the Affinity Plus Foundation has provided more than $2 million to organizations across Minnesota.
A Significant Increase in Giving
In September, twenty students with a wide variety of backgrounds from across Minnesota earned a cumulative $80,000 in scholarships offered by the Affinity Plus Foundation. The amount given represents a 30% increase over the Foundation’s 2023 program. The scholarships of $4,000 each were awarded to each student to assist with tuition and books for the 2024-25 school year.
Recipient Testimonials
Scholarship recipients express gratitude for the opportunities these awards provide. Grace Tobin, a scholarship recipient who studies Secondary Math Education at Mankato State, hopes to eventually become a teacher and a role model to the next generation. “My dream is to be an inspiration to girls and other minorities to pursue STEM education,” Tobin said. "Without a doubt, this scholarship will play a key role in achieving my educational dreams. Scholarships like this allow me more time to focus on my studies, and less time worrying about how to pay for school.”
One scholarship recipient shared, “The scholarship gives me access to my college education. My college education will allow me to major in business administration."
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Another recipient stated, “To me, this scholarship is a lot more than an award- it means that I can allow myself to pursue my education at DeSales University with a focus on academics, rather than worry too much about finances. I am extremely grateful to receive The Robert L. Birkhahn Community Spirit Scholarship, as it reminds me that hard work and determination are key to continue learning and giving back to my community."
“Receiving this scholarship means more than financial support it’s a vote of confidence in my potential and purpose. It reminds me that my hard work, dedication, and goals are seen and supported. As I continue on my academic journey, this scholarship fuels my motivation to excel, give back to my community, and make the most of every opportunity.
“Receiving this scholarship is both an honor and a significant steppingstone in my academic journey. It represents more than financial assistance, it is a vote of confidence in my potential, and that support fuels my determination to work even harder toward my goals.
“I am truly thankful and humbled to receive the Robert L. Birkhahn Community Spirit Scholarship. The Affinity Foundation’s kind generosity will support me in continuing my education.
“This scholarship acknowledges the importance of community service and giving back to the community. I will be studying psychology at Syracuse University and look forward to finding opportunities to get involved in the spirit of service, giving back to the campus community while in college, as well as staying motivated to help others through the outlets I have worked with during high school.
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2024 Scholarship Winners
Winners include (listed by hometown community, with college/university in parenthesis):
- Alexandria: Allen Jaeger from Hastings, MN (Alexandria Technical and Community College)
- Bemidji: Catherine LeMay from Bemidji, Minn. (Winona State University), Haley McCoy from Bemidji, MN (Bemidji State University)
- Duluth: Alicia Shambour from Duluth, MN (University of Minnesota Duluth), Jacob Herstad from Duluth, MN (Lake Superior College)
- Grand Rapids: Paige Jacobson from Grand Rapids, MN (Bemidji State University)
- Hastings: Jaylen Hanson from Hastings, MN (University of Utah)
- Lakeville: Abigail Walsh from Lakeville, MN (University of St. Thomas)
- Mankato: Grace Tobin from Mankato, MN (Minnesota State University Mankato), Josphine Ankrah from Ghana (Minnesota State University Mankato)
- Minneapolis: Sophia Handzel from Minneapolis, MN (University of Minnesota Twin Cities)
- Moorhead: Olani Tesgera, originally from Ethiopia (Minnesota State University Moorhead), Laween Al-Sulaivany, originally from Iraq (Minnesota State University Moorhead)
- New Hope: Cherubim Toby from New Hope, MN (University of Minnesota Twin Cities), Samuel Lanners from New Hope, MN (University of Minnesota Crookston)
- Rochester: Madysen Diskerud from Rochester, MN (Winona State University)
- Roseville: Jacqueline Hayden from Roseville, MN (University of Wisconsin River Falls), SoMyung Kim from Roseville, MN (William Carey University)
- St. Cloud: Anthony Amoako from Ghana (St. Cloud State University), Samriddhi Bista from Nepal (St. Cloud State University)
Eligibility and Application Process
College students who are primary members of Affinity Plus are eligible for the scholarship program. Students must have their own Affinity membership - they cannot use a parent’s membership for eligibility. resident aliens and are members of Affinity in good standing. This year, you could be one of six students to receive a $2,500 scholarship!
How to Apply
- Visit: Affinity Foundation to self-register for the Scholarship Portal. Please allow up to 48 hours for the team to review your credentials.
- Log in to review the application requirements and start your application. You may save your work and return later to complete and submit your final application.
- Submit your application by May 1, 2026.
Supporting Financial Literacy
Affinity Plus and Junior Achievement North started our strong partnership in 2022, and in 2024, the Affinity Plus Foundation donated $45,000 with the goal of expanding access to financial education for more tens of thousands of students across Minnesota. Junior Achievement North is a program that integrates financial education, career readiness, and entrepreneurial curriculum into students’ education. April is Financial Literacy Month, and what better way to exemplify our dedication to financial education than our partnership with Junior Achievement North.
Our partnership also led to the Affinity Plus Philanthropy Center at Junior Achievement BizTown, where students learn the value of giving back and hone their knowledge about careers in non and not for profit work. As a whole, Junior Achievement Biztown offers an in-person experience that has students run businesses and work in a simulated city. This gives students the chance to discover careers, learn and build financial skills, collaborate with classmates, invest in the community, and more. Annually, the space serves more than 30,000 students from across the state.
Affinity Plus credit union employees also volunteer with their local schools every year to bring their passion for financial education directly to the students. In total, Affinity Plus employees volunteered more than 150 hours educating more than 650 students in Minnesota. Junior Achievement North prepares young people with the skillset and mindset to build empowered communities.
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