JC student receives RBSCFG scholarship

RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has announced that Annika Vernon of Hazen, N.D., is a first-prize winner of its annual TruFit Good Citizen Scholarship program. She received a $2,500 scholarship to help supplement the cost of tuition for the fall semester at Jamestown College.

Started in 2011, RBSCFG created the scholarship program as a way to recognize and reward students whose volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact in their communities. The winners were chosen based on the responsibility and leadership skills they have demonstrated through their community service. More than 5,000 high school seniors and college students applied for the scholarships. In addition to the $2,500 first prize scholarship awarded to Vernon, one winner receives a grand prize scholarship of $5,000, three other winners each receive $2,500 and 35 winners each receive $1,000.

“We want to congratulate Annika, who is using her talent and passion for volunteerism to help those in her community who need it most,” said Brendan Coughlin, president of education finance, RBS Citizens Financial Group. “Community service is a part of our own culture, so we are excited to be able to celebrate the contributions of Annika and all the TruFit Scholarship winners, and to be able to help them cover some of their college expenses. As a private student lender committed to helping students finance their education, we are pleased to reward these students for supporting their communities.”

Vernon created the “Pallets-A-Plenty” project that crochets sleeping pallets out of plastic bags for the homeless. Together with more than 100 volunteers from her community, they made 38 sleeping pallets.

Vernon and 39 other winners are showcased on the Charter One Facebook page.

For more information on the TruFit Good Citizen Scholarship program, visit http://www.charterone.com/trufitstudentloan/.

Tags: community, education