North Star Credit Union (NSCU) is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of area students who worked hard to earn their diplomas this year.

As part of its continued commitment to youth and financial education, NSCU awarded $4,000 in scholarships for the 2024–2025 school year—including a $1,000 scholarship for this year’s student intern.

“We are so proud of our area youth and all their hard work to make it to graduation,” said Jennifer Stedt, Chief Executive Officer of NSCU. “It means a lot to us as a credit union to invest in their future. Financial education is a core part of who we are, and it’s meaningful to give back.”

This year’s scholarship recipients include:

• $500 North Woods – Aidan Hartway
• $500 Nashwauk – Katelyn Kinkel
• $500 Field of Membership – Lydia Trip (North Woods)
• $500 Duluth – Samantha Sundal (Duluth East)
• $500 Mountain Iron-Buhl – Natalie Bergman
• $500 Rock Ridge – Allison Fink
• $1,000 Intern Scholarship – Addison Burckhardt (North Woods)

For the past 38 years, NSCU has supported youth education through its scholarship program—awarding a total of $49,150 since the program began in 1987 with a single $300 scholarship at the Cook branch.

As the credit union has grown, so has its investment in financial literacy. Today, NSCU provides $3,000 in annual scholarships to students across its service area, including branches in Cook, Duluth, Nashwauk, Rock Ridge, and Mountain Iron-Buhl.

NSCU’s team is also actively involved in financial education efforts throughout the school year. Staff members read in classrooms, volunteer at school events, and deliver in-person financial education lessons.

These efforts have earned both statewide and national recognition, including the most recent recognitions in 2024 of the Desjardins Financial Education Award and the prestigious Diamond Marketing Award for Financial Education.

Scholarships are typically awarded in $500 amounts at each branch. Additionally, a student intern scholarship ranging from $750 to $1,000 is offered in partnership with local school districts—providing students with on-the-job experience and valuable career skills.