Ascend Federal Credit Union Provides Members with $25,000 in Academic Scholarships
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – June 25, 2025 – Ascend Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee, recently awarded $2,500 scholarships to 10 members. This is the 23rd consecutive year that Ascend has shown its commitment to education by providing scholarships to members to further their academic pursuits.
Winners of the 2025 Ascend Federal Credit Union Scholarship are:
- Wren Augustine Murfreesboro, TN – East Tennessee State University
- Luke Cameron Anchorage, AK – University of Memphis
- Jordyn Cedeno Antioch, TN – Middle Tennessee State University
- Hudson Cox Franklin, TN – Purdue University
- Marynn Enders Smithville, TN – University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Jennifer Heylek Sparta, TN – Roane State Community College
- Lyriq Lillard Murfreesboro, TN – Austin Peay State University
- Aastha Oza Murfreesboro, TN – University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Peter Skoropat Watertown, TN – Western Governors University
- Faith Stoller Dickson, TN – Middle Tennessee State University
“We are honored to recognize these outstanding students for their hard work and dedication in the classroom,” said Leslie Copeland, Ascend’s chief strategy officer. “For more than 20 years, Ascend has supported our members in their pursuit of higher education through our scholarship program. We remain committed to empowering them to achieve their academic and financial goals.”
Since starting its scholarship program in 2003, Ascend has awarded $306,000 to 246 members.
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be members of Ascend Federal Credit Union and plan to enroll or prove enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, technical or trade school in pursuit of an associate, bachelors, masters or other advanced-degree program in the next academic year.
Details for Ascend scholarships for the 2026 academic year will be posted at ascend.org later this year. Scholarship winners may reapply for the next academic year if they meet program requirements. Ascend employees, officials, and any of their immediate family members are excluded from eligibility.
About Ascend Federal Credit Union
With more than 250,000 members and more than $4.4 billion in assets, Ascend Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee and one of the largest federally chartered credit unions in the United States. Based in Tullahoma, Tenn., the member-owned financial institution offers banking, loan, retirement, and investment services from its 28 branches, more than 55,000 free ATMs worldwide, digital banking portal, and mobile app. The credit union’s mission is to serve by offering financial literacy education and giving back to its community in a variety of ways. Ascend is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. For more information, visit ascend.org.
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