SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - SAFE Credit Union awarded five students each with $4,000 scholarships to use for higher education in its annual scholarship program, which provides funding for graduating high school seniors and current community college students.

This year’s recipients are Sean Hoang of Elk Grove, Blake Milton of Folsom, Isabel Avila Rosas of Sacramento, Lydia Carel of El Dorado Hills and Steven Palma of North Highlands. The recipients were selected based on their academic achievement, personal statement and a letter of recommendation and are SAFE Credit union members.

“SAFE Credit Union is thrilled to provide scholarships that help recipients work toward their goals and dreams,” said SAFE Credit Union Community impact manager Lauren LeBov. “Congratulations to all of them for their commitment and hard work. We hope the scholarships help make their educational journeys a bit easier.”

The scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors or current community college students with 60 or fewer credits and a GPA of 3.0 or above. 

They must currently attend a high school or community college in one of the 13 counties in SAFE's service area: Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Solano, Yuba, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Alameda and Amador.

The scholarship program is among SAFE's philanthropic initiatives that also include grants, direct giving and community partnerships. It ties in directly with the credit union's philanthropic pillars of youth and young adult education, financial literacy, workforce development and affordable housing.

Hoang of Elk Grove is a graduate of Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove and plans to attend University of California, San Diego in the fall.

“Majoring in computer science offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the world. Through my career in this field, I aim to advance healthcare, revolutionize education and promote environmental sustainability,” said Hoang. “By leveraging technology to solve complex problems and improve the quality of life for people globally, I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to create a better future for all.” 

Milton of Folsom is a current college student at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento and Folsom Lake College in Folsom this fall.

“Through my education in cybersecurity, I am building the skills to become independent, create impactful programs and advocate for meaningful change,” said Milton.

Rosas of Sacramento is graduating from Rio Americano High School in Arden-Arcade and plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall.

“Receiving this scholarship would turn these dreams into reality,” said Rosas. “It would allow me to focus on my education, gain the skills I need to become a nurse and one day return to Sacramento as a healthcare professional dedicated to serving my community.”

Carel of El Dorado Hills is a current college student and will continue at American River College in Sacramento this fall.

“My educational goals and future career goals are near and dear to my heart. I want to become a speech language-pathologist,” said Carel. “My plan is to also get certified to be an LSLS (listening and spoken language specialist). I have never been more passionate about something before and can’t wait to do my part.”

Palma of North Highlands is a current college student and will continue at American River College in Sacramento this fall.

“I believe that by pursuing my degree, I will be better equipped to advocate for change, address systemic issues and create a society that values inclusivity, empathy and fairness,” said Palma. “I am determined to use my education as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that the voices of those often marginalized are heard and respected.”