Scholarships:

Each year, Emerald Credit Union selects up to two high school graduates within the school districts that we serve, to be awarded with a $1,000 intended to aid with college or other post-high school education.expenses.  We also proudly participate in the Greater Cleveland CU Outreach Alliance Scholarship Program, presented by the Ohio Credit Union League, which awards five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.

Crayons to College & Career:

Emerald Credit Union has partnered with Columbus Intermediate School in Bedford, offering the Crayons to College & Career program to their 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students.  The program is designed to teach students a variety of attributes and skills, helping them prepare for college or to enter the job market.  Every week, two students exhibiting a particular attribute or skill from each grade level are awarded with a certificate and a "check" for $10.00 to be deposited into a Youth Savings Account at the credit union.

Banzai! Financial Literacy

Emerald Credit Union proudly sponsors the Banzai! Financial Literacy program taught at four local schools - Garfield Heights High School, Garfield Heights Middle School, Bedford High School, and Heskett Middle School.  Banzai! is an online financial literacy program for students that is interactive and fun.  It exposes them to real-life situations, and teaches them about saving, spending, setting goals, budgeting, and more.  The Banzai! program includes all the workbooks and materials teachers need to administer the curriculum.  Since it's sponsored by ECU, the schools don't pay anything to offer this program to their students.  The online financial literacy program and all the supporting materials are free for any of the teachers who wish to participate.  Here's what the teachers and students had to say about Banzai!:

   "Thanks to the Emerald Credit Union for their sponsorship of Banzai."
   "The scenarios were very realistic."
   "I learned a lot about how to put things in my checking account and get ready for the real world."
   "I learned that saving and budgeting is way more important than I thought, and I now have a better     picture on how to budget and save." 

The Smart Option Student Loan® for Emerald Credit Union by Sallie Mae®

For borrowers attending degree-granting institutions.

Now you can pay college the smart way with three great repayment options and competitive interest rates!

The loan is an ideal solution to help you pay for college expenses not covered by scholarships and federal loans.  To learn more or to apply, please get started here.

The Smart Option Student Loan features and benefits:

• Multiple in-school repayment options plus a choice of competitive fixed and variable interest rates, providing even more flexibility
• No origination fees and no prepayment penalty
• Benefits and an interest rate reduction available
• Rates that reward creditworthy borrowers
• Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may help you qualify
• 100% US-based Student Loan Specialists

To learn more, please get started here.

The underwriting and funds for the Smart Option Student Loan® by Sallie Mae are not granted by Emerald Credit Union.  This product is offered in partnership with Sallie Mae on a referral basis.