Virginia Credit Union Awards $150,000 in Education Scholarships to Aid Members in Pursuit of College Degree

Virginia Credit Union is proud to award $150,000 in scholarships to 30 outstanding student members in support of their higher education pursuits. Each scholarship recipient will receive $5,000.

“At VACU, we embrace our mission to help members wherever they are on their life and financial journeys,” said Virginia Credit Union President/CEO Chris Shockley. “For some members, that journey includes the pursuit of a college education, and we’re proud to help them realize their dreams. These students are the next generation of leaders, and our investment in their futures will only serve to strengthen our communities in the years to come.”

Designed to help members working toward their first undergraduate degree, the Virginia Credit Union Scholarship Program has provided more than $1.8 million in scholarships to student members since its creation in 1991.

Scholarships were awarded based on applicants’ academic achievement, community service, extracurricular activities, an essay, and students’ efforts to help cover the cost of their education. This year’s winners include 15 rising first-year college students and 15 college sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

The scholarship recipients are:

Rising First-Year College Students

• Caroline Baron (James River High School)
• Nnenaya Bedminster (Patrick Henry High School)
• Christopher Carter (Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School)
• Maya Christian (Highland Springs High School)
• Christin Duval (J.R. Tucker High School)
• Ella Estes (Prince Edward County High School)
• Sylvia Aardema Gagnon (homeschooled)
• McKenzie Holloway (Patrick Henry High School)
• Daniel Howell (Patrick Henry High School)
• Musa Khan (Clover Hill High School)
• Jacob Smithers (Matoaca High School)
• Macy Smothers (Open High School)
• Olivia Sponaugle (Atlee High School)
• William Staylor (Clover Hill High School)
• Lily Walker (Cosby High School)

College Students

• Kalu Abah (University of Chicago)
• Komi Badohoun (Virginia Commonwealth University)
• Maliha Chowdhu (Virginia Commonwealth University)
• Josie Crum (Virginia Tech)
• Levi Dayton (Virginia Commonwealth University)
• Preston Edmonds (Liberty University)
• Ruth Haile (Virginia Tech)
• Alfred Hill Jr. (Brightpoint Community College)
• Emma Mcdaniel (Roanoke College)
• Grace Meade (Point Park University)
• Daniela Owens (Randolph-Macon College)
• Marina Perkins (Virginia Tech)
• Kennedy Puryear (James Madison University)
• Emily Smith (Reynolds Community College)
• Devan Wagner (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Scholarship applications for 2026 will be available beginning in December. Learn more about the program at vacu.org/scholarships