$5K Scholarships Available for High School Juniors and Seniors Interested in Aviation Careers
EAST LANSING, Mich. — For the second consecutive year, the community philanthropic arm of MSU Federal Credit Union is helping the ambitions of students climb to new heights.
The application period for the Dreams Take Flight Scholarships from the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation is open for high school juniors and seniors in Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton counties. Students who plan to attend or are currently attending the Aviation Careers Institute, Crosswinds Aviation, or another flight school partner to pursue their pilot’s license are eligible to apply for one of two $5,000 scholarships.
“Currently, there is a shortage of pilots in the aviation industry,” said Rebecca Surian, Executive Director of the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation. “One of the barriers for next-generation pilots and other aviation professionals is training costs. The Dreams Take Flight Scholarship was created to help make training more accessible and affordable for local high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing an aviation career.”
This is the second consecutive year the Dreams Take Flight Scholarship is being offered in partnership with the Capital Region International Airport and Eaton Regional Education Service Agency. To qualify, applicants must: Be a high school junior or senior in Eaton, Ingham, or Clinton counties. Plan to attend or are currently attending Eaton RESA Aviation Careers Institute, Crosswinds Aviation, or another flight school partner to earn a pilot’s license. Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Be an MSUFCU member.
“Eaton RESA is extremely excited to partner with the Capital Region International Airport and the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation to offer this amazing scholarship opportunity to students,” said Margo Hazelman, Career Preparation Center Director/Principal for Eaton RESA. “It is helping students who have a passion for flying to be able to start their flight training and get a head start on their career path.”
New this year is an opportunity for individuals or businesses to support the scholarship.
“We are so grateful for our partnership with the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and Eaton RESA on the Dreams Take Flight Scholarship to help support students interested in pursuing an aviation career and for their commitment to providing students with the opportunity and access to resources to explore different career paths,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority. “We look forward to our continued partnership and growing the scholarship fund to help support additional students.”
The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. Essays and applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes representatives from the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation, Capital Region International Airport, and Eaton RESA. Scholarship recipients will be contacted by the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and announced in January 2025.
For more details on the scholarship application requirements and to apply online, visit deskdrawerfund.org/dreamstakeflight.
ABOUT THE DESK DRAWER FOUNDATION
The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation was established in 2019 to empower MSU Federal Credit Union and Oakland University Credit Union members, employees, and other businesses to invest in our local communities and help them flourish. The Foundation provides meaningful grants to organizations within its five philanthropic pillars - entrepreneurship, financial education, stable housing, the arts, and youth empowerment. To date, more than $2.1 million has been distributed. Among other sources, income is generated through employee contributions; new/existing credit union members; and the quarterly member raffle. For more information, visit deskdrawerfund.org.
ABOUT MSUFCU
Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by American Banker for the sixth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 13 consecutive years, and a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner for seven consecutive years. MSUFCU has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for 10 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group; along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi and Collegiate; trade name Oakland University Credit Union; and its foundation, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 31 branches; over 360,000 members; $8 billion in assets; and more than 1,200 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.