FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ohio Credit Union Foundation Announces 2012 Video Scholarship Winner
Directions Credit Union member receives $5,000 for answering, “How Financially Savvy Are you?”
Columbus, Ohio (May 17, 2012)Twenty-three Ohio credit union student members submitted videos to the Ohio Credit Union Foundation (OCUF) as part of the OCUF Video Scholarship competition. Each submission answered the question, “How Financially Savvy Are You,” in hopes of winning $5,000 in scholarship money toward higher education goals. OCUF Trustees recently announced the winner of the 2012 scholarship, Matthew Kubiak, a member of Directions Credit Union in Toledo, who will attend the University of Dayton in the fall.
“This is the second year the Ohio Credit Union Foundation has held the video scholarship contest, and we are impressed by the creativity and knowledge contained in each video,” said Becky Hart, OCUF Executive Director. “We hope that each of the applicants not only enjoyed making the videos, but gained some knowledge about making smart financial decisions. Supporting student financial education in our state is the Number1 priority of the Foundation, and this competition brings awareness to the need, while supporting student educational aspirations.”
Kubiak’s video shared scenarios of “what financially savvy people say,” both before and after joining a credit union. Before joining a credit union, the character played by Matthew spent money carelessly, not worrying about mounting credit card debt, hidden fees, expensive purchases, and saving for college. After begging for help, the unwise character joins a credit union, learning to save money by using coupons, monitoring fees, and only spending what he has. The video concluded with Matthew cutting up a credit card and exclaiming, “I’m free!”
Upon hearing that his video was selected, Kubiakwas shocked and excited, “What? I did it? I won? I had a blast making that video.”
Entries were judged on content, design, originality, and use of enhancements. Ohio Credit Union League staff narrowed down the videos to five strong candidates, and OCUF Trustees selected the winner based on the entry guidelines.
“We wish each of the students who submitted videos best wishes as they pursue their higher education goals,” said Hart, “and hope that continued use of their credit union is a part of their education plan.”
Watch Kubiak’s winning submission, and videos from the other four finalists, by visiting the OCUF video scholarship YouTube page:
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The Ohio Credit Union Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation, is the philanthropic arm of the Ohio Credit Union Movement. The OCUF was incorporated in December 1997, and made its first grants in 1999. In the last five years, OCUF has granted more than $1 million to credit unions and credit union organizations to help promote financial independence. For more information, visit .