Access Credit Union Robert M. Sadler Scholarship Program

Robert M. Sadler Scholarship Program

The Robert M. Sadler Scholarship is in honor of a a long time retired Access CU board member and chairman of the board who volunteered many hours to contribute to the success of Access CU. The cost of college is among the top challenges facing students considering higher education institutions across the country. Access CU is committed to supporting it’s members and the children in their care through financial education. To help with this financial burden: $1,000 Scholarships will be awarded to: Graduating high school senior OR Existing higher education student!

Who Is Eligible?
• Applicant, parents, legal guardians or grandparents must be Access CU members for 3 months or more
before application is submitted.
• Graduating high school senior accepted to an accredited college, university or vocational school full-time
for 2025-2026
Or
• Full-time undergraduate student currently enrolled in an accredited college, university or vocational
school for 2025-2026
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or 3.5 out of 5.0 or higher (GPA may be waived with a letter of support from
your high school principal or the Academic Dean of the College)

Requirements
• Short Application
• 60-second video or 500 word essay (see topic choices on following page)
• 2 recommendations from non-family members, one must be from an educator (teacher, counselor, etc.)
• School transcripts (unofficial accepted)

Scholarship Selection Process
All applicants for this scholarship, regardless of their physical, learning, medical, mental health and sensory
challenges are considered if the applicant meets the minimum requirements. The selection process combines
applicant achievement, academic performance, and application presentation in the determination of a winner.
Committee members rate each applicant on: Clarity of Message, Creativity, Knowledge of Topic and
Recommendations. Scores are combined and scholarships are awarded to the candidates with the highest score.

Deadlines
• Only complete applications will be considered.
• Applications must be completed online or received by March 1, 2025.
• Upload documentation online at www.access-cu.com or print and mail, along with your documentation
and video/essay to: Access Credit Union, 1807 W. Cermak Rd., Broadview, IL 60155

Contact: Nora Brennan (708) 223-1297 Nbrennan@accesscu.com
Tom Pierce (708) 223-1275 Tpierce@accesscu.com

Video or Essay Requirements

Topic:
Credit unions are unique financial institutions that operate with a people-focused philosophy. Unlike traditional banks, credit unions are owned by their members, creating a community-oriented environment where every account holder plays an active role in the organization’s success. One of the primary functions of a credit union is to safeguard its
members’ deposits while encouraging habits of saving and financial responsibility. Saving is a vital practice that supports a variety of needs, whether it’s planning for an upcoming activity, achieving a long-term goal, or ensuring financial security. It reflects not only individual discipline but often a collaborative effort within families or communities to build
a stable financial future.

Please write/record an essay/video that explores the importance of saving in your life. In your response, consider the following:
• Your personal saving habits and strategies.
• How saving has helped you achieve specific goals or prepare for opportunities.
• Any role you’ve played in encouraging saving or fostering financial success within your family, school, or community.
• The lessons you’ve learned about saving and how they have influenced your perspective on your financial well-being.
• If you haven’t been saving in the past, what changes would you make to start saving now?

Your essay should reflect on the value of saving, its impact on your personal development, and how it has shaped your understanding of financial responsibility. Be as specific as possible, providing examples and insights that showcase your commitment to saving and financial growth.

Video
• Up to a two minute video/commercial
• Video format guidelines: File size limit is 300 MB. Acceptable file formats are .MPG; .MOV; AVI; .WMV.
• The video will not be judged on the quality of the production, but the message itself.

Essay
• 500 word essay (can be approximate)
• Essay format guidelines: double spaced, 1” margins, 12 point Times New Roman font, 500 words (approximately) or approximately 2 pages in length. No longer than 700 words, approximately 3 pages in length.

Distribution of Award
• Access CU will award the $1,000 scholarships in the form of a cashier’s check payable to the student and the school.
• Winners will be notified by email by March 21, 2025.
• Winners must pickup scholarships by July 1, 2025 (Any extensions must be approved by Scholarship Committee)

• Your accounts (checking, ATM, savings, etc.) must be in good standing with no delinquent or charge off loans. Access CU board members and employees and their immediate families are not eligible. Students who have previously won the Access CU scholarship will not be eligible to win.**