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About Us

identifier labelScholarship & Grant Opportunities

CCA Supports Education

Consumers Cooperative Association (CCA), the sponsor of Consumers Credit Union (CCU), offers scholarships and grant opportunities to eligible members.

Financial Literacy Champion Grants

At CCU, we're rewarding educators who teach the ABCs of money. Our Financial Literacy Champion Grants are designed to recognize teachers who demonstrate dedication to educating students on financial wellness and go above and beyond to create engaging curriculum.
2026 Recipients

College Level Scholarships

High school seniors graduating in the Class of 2026 and current college students have the chance to earn one of six scholarships.

  • $10,000 Bill Reidel Memorial Scholarship. Honoring William “Bill” Reidel, President Emeritus of Consumers Credit Union. Bill served CCU for nearly 40 years, including 25 years as CEO, where his leadership shaped the organization’s culture and deepened its commitment to serving members. His dedication and focus on member-first values continue to influence CCU’s work every day.
  • $5,000 Gayhart Silvola Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Gayhart Silvola, Chairman of the Association Board for more than a decade. Gayhart was a strong supporter of member education, especially in financial wellness, and consistently championed efforts that strengthened CCU’s connection to the communities it serves. His leadership and commitment played an essential role in guiding the Association’s mission.
  • $5,000 Dorotha Betke Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Dorotha Betke, Treasurer of the Association for more than 25 years. Dorotha oversaw all budgeting, financial statements, and reporting with exceptional dedication during her long tenure. Her steady leadership and selfless contributions were instrumental in shaping the Association into what it is today.
  • $5,000 Kathleen Crews Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Kathleen Crews, former President of the Association. Kathleen led the Association during a period of significant change, guiding its development with clarity and purpose. Her leadership at the Annual Meeting, together with her unwavering commitment to growth, resulted in a significant increase in the number of college scholarships awarded and furthered the Association’s mission to support education.
  • $2,500 Kaarin Luhtala Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Kaarin Luhtala, Consumers Credit Union Board Member and Treasurer. Serving from CCU’s earliest years, Kaarin helped shape the foundation of the credit union through her leadership on the Board and her historic role as one of its first women officers. Elected to a three-year term and later advancing to Board Treasurer, Kaarin’s achievements, while perhaps more commonplace today, were truly progressive for the early 20th century and helped pave the way for greater inclusion.
  • $2,500 Ellen Sandvick Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Ellen Sandvick, first woman to lead a financial institution in Lake County when she served as Chairperson of the Consumers Credit Union Board in 1958. Shortly thereafter, she was elected to lead the Lake County Chapter of Credit Unions (later known as the T.W. Doig Chapter), expanding opportunities for women in finance both at CCU and across Lake County. Her leadership advanced the role of women within financial institutions well beyond our doors.
2026 Recipients

Trade School Scholarships


Scholarship opportunities are also available for eligible members pursuing a trade that is a priority in the communities we serve. Up to three students will be selected to receive up to $5,000 each toward an eligible trade school certification program.
2026 Recipients

Student Loan Debt Grant


A Student Loan Debt Grant is also available for eligible members who need assistance paying down existing student loan debt. Our focus is on supporting individuals who have faced significant hardships or can demonstrate how eliminating all or part of their debt would allow them to positively impact their community.
2026 Recipients

The application period is now closed. Please check back for future opportunities.

For questions about grants or scholarships, please contact us at [email protected]

 

Consumers Cooperative Association

Consumers Cooperative Association was organized in 1970 and serves as a "Common Bond" for Membership at Consumers Credit Union.
The Consumers Cooperative Association is managed by a Board of five (5) Directors, each serving a one-year term. The following individuals represent the current CCA Board of Directors:
• Nathan Gallentine
• Karina Gil
• Alyssa Olsen
• Carla Schroeder
• Katherine Vittore
ccu logoConsumers Cooperative Association

How to Become a Member

It's easy to join Consumers Cooperative Association and become a member of CCU to enjoy all the benefits!
Apply Now
A. The Illinois Credit Union Act, under which Consumers Credit Union operates, requires every credit union to have a Membership Common Bond. The Consumers Cooperative Association provides an associational common bond for Consumers Credit Union. Other credit unions have other common bonds. For example, an employees' credit union has employment as the common bond. In credit unions sponsored by communities, residence is the common bond.
A. Yes, by filling out an application and paying a one-time Membership fee ($5.00). If you join Consumers Credit Union, the fee will be reimbursed. The reimbursement does not apply to indirect members or those who join to refinance a loan.
A. Yes. But you cannot be a Member of Consumers Credit Union unless you are a Member of the Association.