SPARKS-GLENCOE, Md.– – To support the graduating class of 2025 in the local youth community, First Financial Credit Union has awarded $165,000 in scholarships to 55 graduating seniors for post-secondary education,

The program is open to graduating students who attend Baltimore, Carroll, Worcester, and Somerset County Public Schools as well as private schools within the credit unions field of membership. Scholarship recipients were recognized at the credit union’s 72nd Annual Meeting.  Since the commencement of the annual scholarship program in 1998, First Financial has granted scholarships totaling $2.7 million awarded to over 860 students.

To be eligible for the $3,000 scholarship, First Financial’s student members were required to submit an application, transcripts, references, and a written essay. The credit union’s volunteer-based Scholarship Committee selected finalists.

“As a financial institution that puts members first, we are committed to investing in the future education of our youth and providing financial support,” President/CEO Eric Church said in a statement. “With our annual scholarship program, our hope is to alleviate some of the costs associated with higher education.”