iQ Credit Union Furthers High School Financial Education with Campus Branches and Scholarships

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on June 10, 2024

iQ Credit Union, which serves Washington and Oregon members, embraces one of the Credit Union Movement’s main tenets – providing financial education to members and the communities they serve. At iQ, a focus is placed on ensuring high school students have what they need to become financially responsible adults. They do this in many ways including offering Bite of Reality financial education fairs, having high school branches, and offering scholarships to students who are furthering their education at colleges, universities, or trade schools. 

Campus Branches 

One of iQ’s little-known community outreach efforts is its high school Campus Branch program where high school students are taught branch best practices while operating a functioning branch within their high school. Six campus branches in the Southwest Washington area are open to students, staff, and associated parents and groups. 

At each campus branch, students learn real-life career and personal finance skills while operating an iQ branch right in their school. Students gain financial, customer service, and marketing job skills in addition to gaining enhanced financial skills and education. This hands-on experience gives them a leg up when applying for jobs during and after high school and sets them up for success in their future careers. 

Campus branch students also have the chance to become paid high school interns at one of iQ’s main branches. Since 2015, more than 40 interns have worked in iQ branches while still enrolled at their local high schools and 15 current iQ employees started as interns and have created successful careers as branch managers, department managers, loan officers, and frontline staff. 

Scholarships 

On June 1, iQ announced $24,000 in scholarships were awarded to six local students in the Southwest Washington and Oregon area. iQ’s scholarships are a key component of its mission to promote financial well-being. 

The 2024 scholarship recipients are: 

• Curran Chapman is studying Pacific and Asian studies at the University of Victoria. 
• Karolyn Marquez Garcia is graduating from CAM Academy and will be studying meteorology/aviation at the University of Washington. 
• Violet Meyers is studying exercise science at the University of Kansas. 
• Kyla Smith-Jenkins is studying psychology at Portland State University. 
• Brayden Smith is graduating from Evergreen High School and will be studying business at Washington State University. 

• Madison Williams is graduating from Camas High School and will be studying biochemistry at Santa Clara University. 

Each of these students will receive $4,000 to help cover tuition, books, supplies, and other educational expenses, supporting them as they pursue their academic goals. 

“At iQ, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. Our scholarship program reflects our dedication to supporting diverse and talented students on their educational journeys,” said Ali Migaki, iQ’s Chief Experience Officer. “These students represent the future leaders and innovators of our community, and we are excited to support their aspirations.” 

For more than 30 years, iQ has been committed to empowering students through its scholarship program. To date, more than $220,000 has been awarded to help local students achieve their educational dreams. 

Students are selected using metrics that take into consideration their GPA, community service and overall accomplishments. Additionally, the Committee’s Choice scholarship selections take a holistic view, considering the unique challenges and life experiences of applicants who may have responsibilities such as caring for loved ones or working to support their families. The iQ scholarship program welcomes applications from high school seniors, college students, and those enrolled in trade schools. 

Community Impact 

The credit union’s community impact efforts also benefit local businesses, nonprofits, teachers, and schools. Through the Read with Me and Literacy Grants, iQ supports educators with funds for books, school supplies, and reading-related activities, having distributed over 75,000 books to local children so far. In addition, the iQ for Kids nonprofit foundation provides grants to local nonprofits that improve the lives of children and families. 

For more details about the iQ’s scholarship program and other community initiatives, visit iQcu.com/community. 

Posted in Oregon, Regional Member News, Washington.