2026 Scholarship Essay Program

Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union is offering TWO $1,000.00 scholarships to one Saline County and one Grant County 2026 high school graduate.

Scholarship Amount: $1,000.00

Eligibility requirements:

• Recipient must be a 2026 graduate from any of the following Saline or Grant County High Schools: Bauxite, Benton, Bryant, Harmony Grove, Arkansas Christian Academy, Sheridan or Poyen. Home school students may enter, as long as they reside in Saline or Grant County. (Proof of residency required for home school students.)

• The applicant must be a college-bound high school senior at the time of application.

• The applicant must be attending college for the first time in 2026.

• The applicant will be enrolled in a 4 year college, 2 year college or technical school.

 Application Instructions:

• Student must complete a short application providing information on themselves and submit an essay. The topic is posted at the bottom of the scholarship application. Essay must have a minimum of 300 words.

• Applicants must type or print clearly and in essay format.

• The application, essay, and transcripts must be received no later than 11:59 pm CST Tuesday, March 31, 2026. All portions must be submitted together. If any portion is missing or late, the application will not be considered. If the application is sent digitally, please ensure the document is accessible. There should not be any passwords or permissions required to view your documents. 

• Applications may be emailed to savannah.gann@alcoacfcu.org, given to your schools guidance counselor, or mailed to: Alcoa Community FCU, ATTN: Savannah Gann, 1125 Military Road Benton, AR. 72015.

Required Documents:

• A high school transcript documenting student’s GPA.

• SAT/ACT transcript.

Award Notification & Distribution:

The scholarship recipients will be notified by Friday, April 10th. Scholarship funds will be made payable to and mailed directly to the institution recipient plans to attend. The funds may be used for tuition, room, board, books, or materials. A letter of acceptance or proof of enrollment from an educational institution is required. This letter may be submitted with the application or any time prior to the payment. Only chosen recipients will be contacted after the deadline. We will not reach out to any applicant that does not receive the scholarship. Please note this is a one time scholarship.

Selection Process:

Winning essays will be chosen based on the essay itself, academic performance, and involvement in extracurricular and community activities.

Deadline for Submission:

• Applications MUST be received by savannah.gann@alcoacfcu.org no later than 11:59 pm CST, March 31, 2026.

• Winners announced: Friday, April 10, 2026.

Essay Topic: How are you financially preparing for college? As digital financial solutions become more popular, what form of payment do you prefer to use (ex…debit card, credit card, peer-to-peer methods, or Cash) and do these payment methods influence the financial institution you choose (online vs. in person)?

ACFCU Scholarship Essay Packet

*Please note, you do not have to be an ACFCU member for your child to apply for or receive this scholarship.