Credit Union 1 (Alaska) Bill Countryman Scholarship

Credit Union 1's Bill Countryman Scholarship Program, now in its 39th year, distributes a shared pool of scholarship funds ($39,000 across 19 recipients in 2026) to Alaskans who are CU1 members. Three applicant categories compete: continuing-education students of any age, high school seniors headed to an accredited college or vocational school, and junior high and high school students through 11th grade applying to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth program. The applicant (or a parent) must have held CU1 membership for at least a year. Selection weighs demonstrated financial need, community involvement/extracurriculars, an essay on educational goals, and a 500-word essay or short video on the credit union's 'people helping people' philosophy, plus three letters of recommendation and transcripts. Individual award amounts vary by recipient and aren't published; funds can go toward tuition with no restriction on major. Applicants may reapply in future years. CU1 employees and their immediate family are not eligible.

Eligibility

DemographicsApplicant or a parent must have held Credit Union 1 membership for at least one year.

Applying

Total pool was $39,000 across 19 recipients in 2026, split across all three eligible applicant categories; per-award amounts vary and aren't published.