Two TopLine Members Awarded Minnesota Family Involvement Council Scholarships

MAPLE GROVE, MN--(Marketwired - July 26, 2016) - TopLine Federal Credit Union is honored to announce that members of two families each won a $500 scholarship from the Minnesota Family Involvement Council (FIC). This year the FIC offered sixteen college scholarships totaling $10,000 to Minnesota credit union members.

Nearly 850 students applied for the scholarships from credit unions throughout the state. Applicants were selected based on school and community involvement, and an essay which explained "Other than family, what tools or resources do you use or see yourself using to make sure you are financially healthy?"

Amber Ferguson and Wesley Heal both from TopLine's Plymouth branch received scholarships to continue post secondary education in the fall of 2016. Amber is a registered, licensed dietitian and will be returning to school to study public health. She commented, "Keeping a budget, automatic deposits and payments, saving via a savings account and 401k, taking advantage of low loan rates, and seeking out sales when I make a purchase are some of the strategies and resources I use to maintain financial health." Wesley graduated from Wayzata High School and will be pursuing an undergraduate degree, majoring in Finance. He stated, "Three major areas that represent my idea on how to become financially stable are acquiring a strong education, the self-discipline of savings, and investing my earnings in a strong, reliable financial institution in my local community."

Tom Smith, President/CEO, said, "TopLine has been involved with the Minnesota Family Involvement Council scholarship program since 1997, and we are very pleased that two of our members were chosen as scholarship recipients this year. We are a strong supporter of educational opportunities in our communities, and participating in the scholarship program fits well within our purpose of helping members afford the costs of higher education."

The Minnesota Family Involvement Council (FIC) is a volunteer organization made up of representatives from credit unions around the state of Minnesota to enhance the future of the credit union movement by promoting financial awareness, financial education and full-family involvement. The FIC began in 1985 and launched the scholarship program in 1997 and has received more than 12,000 scholarship applications and has awarded nearly $146,500 in scholarships.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13^th largest, with assets of more than $385 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.

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