Tomorrow's Leaders Today (TLT) Scholarship

Program Focus: Supports high school seniors enrolling in accredited 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities. The scholarship celebrates students who demonstrate initiative, responsibility, and community spirit through both traditional leadership roles and everyday acts of caring and support.

Geographic Scope

• Service Area: 24 western and central Oregon counties (Oregon State Credit Union membership area)

Eligibility Requirements

• Maintain a 3.25 unweighted cumulative GPA or higher
• Be an Oregon State Credit Union member with a TLT Teen Checking account (new members/account holders must open membership/TLT account by February 1, prior to application deadline)
• Plan to attend an accredited 2-year or 4-year college or university in Fall 2026 (or following fall for subsequent years)
• Trade and technical programs qualify if accredited

Ineligibility

• Employees of Oregon State Credit Union
• Members of the credit union's Official Family
• Immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children living in same household)

What the Scholarship Covers

• Award is paid directly to the recipient's college/university to help cover tuition and fees
• Can be transferred if recipient changes to another accredited school (notification required)

Leadership Interpretation

Leadership examples that count:

• Traditional roles: Student government, sports team captain, organizing fundraisers or community events
• Everyday acts: Caring for siblings, helping classmates with homework, mentoring younger students, volunteering at community events, assisting neighbors

Contact Information

• Email: TLTscholarship@oregonstatecu.com
• Phone: (541) 714-4000
• Address: PO Box 306, Corvallis, OR 97339

Application Process

Step 1: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or equivalent

• Equivalent state-level applications: Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) or Washington Application for Free Financial Aid (WAFSA)

Step 2: Find the TLT Scholarship program and locate the online application portal

Step 3: Complete and submit your application by the deadline

Required Application Materials

1. Oregon State Credit Union member number
2. High school transcript (unofficial acceptable)
   • If applicable: unofficial college transcripts
3. College choice information
   • Names of your top college choices
4. Recommender contact information
   • Name and contact info for one recommender (someone who knows you well but is NOT an immediate family member)
5. Experience details covering:
   • Volunteer work and hours
   • Extracurricular activities and clubs
   • Work experience

Application Essay/Narrative

Applicants must submit essays demonstrating:

• Leadership storytelling: Real examples of how you've made an impact
• Specific examples: Describe what you did and why it mattered
• Recognition of all contributions: Both big wins and everyday responsibilities count (caring for family, helping peers shows responsibility and empathy)
• Connection to future: Explain how these experiences shaped your aspirations and how you'll continue to lead in college and beyond
• Organization: Submit organized, meeting deadlines shows initiative

Recommender Submission

• Recommender receives an email link with submission deadline
• Critical: Recommender must submit by deadline (11:59 PM on specified date) or application will be incomplete and may not be reviewed
• Tip: Request early and follow up with recommender before deadline

Application Review Criteria

Scholarship committee reviews applications using a scoring rubric assessing:

• Academics (GPA and transcript quality)
• Community involvement and volunteer work
• Essays and narrative quality
• Recommender letters

Decision Timeline

• Applicants notified via email in April of application year
• All applicants receive notification (selected or not)

If You Transfer Schools

• Contact the scholarship team immediately if changing colleges after award
• Team will determine if award can transfer to new accredited institution

Application Checklist

• [ ] Gather Oregon State Credit Union member number
• [ ] Obtain latest high school transcript (and any college transcripts if applicable)
• [ ] List top college choices
• [ ] Identify and contact recommender early
• [ ] Compile volunteer hours, club involvement, and work experience details
• [ ] Draft essay responses
• [ ] Submit application by deadline
• [ ] Remind recommender to submit before deadline