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About Us

Consumers Cooperative Association

Consumers Cooperative Association was organized in 1970 and serves as the "Common Bond" for Membership at Consumers Credit Union.

The Consumers Cooperative Association is managed by a Board of nine (9) Directors elected at an annual membership meeting for three (3) year terms. The following individuals represent the current CCA Board of Directors:

  • Ilona Castillo
  • Kathleen Crews
  • Christopher Devaney
  • Janice Stanley
  • Nina Tate

If you are interested in joining the Consumers Cooperative Association board, please contact [email protected] for more information.

2025 Scholarship Opportunities!

In the spirit of supporting and investing in our membership community, Consumers Cooperative Association (proud sponsor of Consumers Credit Union) is thrilled to announce that we will be awarding $90,000 in scholarships in 2025!  

Twenty (20) recipients will be selected from eligible applications submitted by high school seniors graduating in the class of 2025.  Each selected recipient will receive a scholarship worth $2,000.  Additionally, one (1) high school senior from the class of 2025 will receive the Bill Reidel Memorial Scholarship worth $10,000.  

CCA will also offer scholarships to eligible members pursuing their undergraduate degrees.  Fifteen (15) undergraduate students will be selected to receive a scholarship worth $2,000.  Additionally, one (1) undergraduate student will be selected to receive the Gayhart Silvola $5,000 Honorary Scholarship, one (1) undergraduate student will be selected to receive the Dorotha Betke $5,000 Honorary Scholarship.

The scholarship application period will be open from November 1, 2024, until January 15, 2025.  Please click on the links below for detailed information about the scholarships and to access the available applications.

The scholarship funding comes from the one-time membership fee paid by members to join Consumers Cooperative Association and become eligible to join Consumers Credit Union.

For more information about the Consumers Cooperative Association’s scholarship program, contact [email protected].

2024 Scholarship Winners

Consumers Cooperative Association Announced Winners of $138,000 in Scholarships

Consumers Cooperative Association awarded a record-high 62 scholarships totaling $138,000 in 2024. Scholarships included:
1. One (1) $ 10,000 Bill Reidel Memorial Scholarship
2. One (1) $ 5,000 Gayhart Silvola Honorary Scholarship
3. One (1) $ 5,000 Dorotha Betke Honorary Scholarship
4. Thirty (30) $ 2,000 scholarships were awarded to high school seniors graduating in the class of 2024.
5. Fourteen (14) $ 2,000 scholarships were awarded to undergraduate students.
6. Fifteen (15) students who have graduated, earned a degree and have entered the workforce were awarded $2,000 scholarships to help pay down their student loan debt.
Consumers 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.
A. 1. Scholarship Program – The Association awards scholarships each year to High School Senior boys and girls. The scholarship application is available online from mid-October to midnight on December 31.
 
2. Educational Seminars – The Association periodically sponsors seminars on budgeting, the wise use of credit, investment planning, identity theft, and other topics.
A. The Members. A Membership meeting is held annually. At this meeting, Members elect three Directors to serve on the Board (of nine directors). The Directors are responsible for the operation and management of the Association. If you are interested in joining the association board please contact [email protected] for information