PFCU awards $48,000 in Rising Star scholarships

Partnership Financial Credit Union awarded 31 scholarships totaling $48,000 to recent high school graduates through its 2026 Rising Star Scholarship program. The awards support students attending accredited college, university, vocational or trade schools and bring the program’s total giving to nearly $434,000.

Why it matters: - The scholarships help recent high school graduates pay for college, vocational school or trade school. - PFCU has now awarded nearly $434,000 through the Rising Star Scholarship program since it began. - The program also reinforces PFCU’s ties to member families and the local community.

What happened: - Partnership Financial Credit Union awarded 31 scholarships totaling $48,000 through its 2026 Rising Star Scholarship program. - The recipients were recent high school graduates. - The scholarships can be used at an accredited college, university, vocational school or trade school of each student’s choice. - PFCU announced the awards in Morton Grove, Illinois, on July 2, 2026.

The details: - Scholarship applicants were judged on academic performance, financial need, leadership abilities and community involvement. - Applicants had to be Spring 2026 high school graduates. - Each applicant or the applicant’s parent or guardian had to be a PFCU member. - PFCU said the scholarship committee faced a difficult selection process because of the number of applicants and the strength of the candidate pool. - Betty Fallos, executive vice president of retail and engagement, said PFCU is proud to help fund educational costs for the winners. - Mary Ann Pusateri, PFCU’s CEO, thanked the scholarship committee and Fallos for evaluating and tabulating the applications. - PFCU said the Rising Star program has awarded nearly $434,000 to eligible members or their children since it launched. - PFCU also offers a report card rewards program for students with a Kids Club Account. - Students can receive $5 for every A on a report card, up to $25 per semester, for grades K-12. - More information about the kids accounts program is available here. - Questions about the Rising Star Scholarship Program can be directed to Betty Fallos at betty@mypfcu.org.

Between the lines: - The scholarship program gives PFCU a direct way to support student achievement while deepening member loyalty. - The added report card rewards suggest PFCU is using multiple programs to promote youth engagement early. - The broad eligibility rules still keep the scholarships tied to PFCU membership, which helps the credit union focus its giving on its own community.

What's next: - Eligible students and families can contact PFCU for details about future Rising Star Scholarship cycles. - PFCU’s Kids Club rewards remain available for students in grades K-12. - More information about PFCU is available at www.mypfcu.org.