VSECU, a member-owned cooperative and not for profit credit union for everybody in Vermont, has awarded a total of $15,000 to help three Vermonters pay down student loan debt. The award is granted annually to VSECU members who submit an innovative idea that has the potential to positively impact Vermonters and/or Vermont communities. 2016 marked the fifth year of this signature VSECU member award program. The program, called Student LIFT (Loan Independence for Today), awards three VSECU members an amount of $5,000 toward their student loan debt.
“The Student LIFT program helps members get relief from the financial burden of student loan debt and spurs attention, thought, and dialogue about how to address the needs of Vermonters,” said Rob Miller, CEO of VSECU. “The ideas submitted by this year’s applicants are seeds with the potential to grow into true results.”
Heather Calderwood of Montpelier, Daniel Keeney of Calais, and Sienna Fontaine of Milton submitted this year’s winning ideas. The ideas presented by the winners tackled tough subjects like affordable and efficient housing for low income Vermonters, restorative justice and reentry housing for individuals coming out of prison, and an internship program for high school students in Vermont’s sustainable jobs economy.
Fontaine, whose idea addressed vocational training, community integration, and transitional housing for former inmates through rehabilitating Vermont’s iconic dairy barns, said: “This award will give me a buffer to be able to pay off my winter tires and other living expenses.” Keeney will use the relief to direct income to his goal of completely paying off his higher rate credit card debt. Calderwood, whose proposal brought together incentives for green home building projects and low-income homeownership for Vermonters said the funds would help her reach her goal of being free of student debt by the age of 30. “It’s an honor to receive this award,” said Calderwood “This will help me put my money towards building an asset like a home that will last.”
For program details, including the Student LIFT application and guidelines, please visit VSECU’s website at www.vsecu.com (link is external).
About VSECU
VSECU is a member-owned cooperative and not for profit credit union for everybody who lives and works in Vermont, offering a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member-owners. VSECU is committed to improving the lives of Vermonters by empowering the possibilities for greater social, environmental, and financial prosperity. For more information about VSECU, call 802/800 371-5162 or visit www.vsecu.com