Toronto, ON – August 11, 2021– Alterna Savings is delighted to congratulate all 69 recipients of the 2021 Ontario Credit Union Foundation’s (OCUF) CU Succeed Youth Bursary – seven of whom are members of Alterna Savings.

The bursary goes to students who have demonstrated financial need and have a strong history of community engagement. Student submissions are assessed by a 9-member review panel and measured on their community involvement, personal circumstances, academic achievement, letters of reference, and essay quality.

“Alterna is thrilled to support students through programs like OCUF’s CU Succeed Youth Bursary. This year’s recipients have demonstrated resilience and adaptability by overcoming the challenges of 2020 and so much more,” said Rob Paterson, Alterna Savings President, and CEO. “When we support young, socially-conscious leaders like these, we help them make positive change in their communities and solve challenges that affect us all – a mission that is central to who we are as a community-focused financial institution. We are very pleased to recognize these student’s accomplishments and celebrate their contributions to their communities as they pursue their educational goals.”

CU Succeed Youth Bursary amounts range from $1,000 to $3,000, with a total of $75,000 awarded in 2021. Since the program’s inception in 2016, $436,000 in bursaries has been awarded to 327 students across Ontario.

“This year’s bursary winners are an incredible group of students who have risen above the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve academic excellence while supporting their communities. Extended lockdowns, as well as health and safety concerns, have limited employment opportunities for students. This makes additional supports, such as our bursary program, a valuable supplement to offset tuition and other expenses,” explained Frugina Ball, Alterna’s Region Head of Member Experience in the Greater Toronto Area and OCUF Vice Chair.

“I would like to sincerely thank all the sponsors who willingly and generously contributed towards the bursary. Your interest, commitment, and desire to assist families like mine is certainly appreciated! Receiving this bursary will help towards not only paying down my tuition fees but achieving my dream without the stress of debt. My hope is that you continue to provide meaningful assistance for many years to come,” said Danielle Henry, bursary recipient and Alterna Savings Member.

Alterna is a proud sponsor of the OCUF’s Annual Golf Classic. As a Platinum Sponsor and a Gold Bursary Booster, Alterna is helping to raise even more money to support post-secondary students and credit union members achieve their community, academic and career goals. This year’s tournament takes place on September 20 at The Cherry Downs Golf Club on the eastern edge of the Greater Toronto Area.

For more information about OCUF and a complete list of CU Succeed Youth Bursary recipients, please visit https://ocuf.org/.

About Alterna Savings
Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (Alterna) has been the good in banking for 112 years and, based on assets under management, is the 9th largest credit union in Canada. Alterna is made up of Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Alterna Bank. Together, we have $10 billion in assets under management.

As the first full-service, member-owned co-operative financial institution outside Quebec, Alterna Savings shares its expertise with more than 185,000 members through a network of 36 branches across Ontario, that includes partner Peterborough Community Savings; as well as call centre and digital channels. Members and customers also benefit from an industry-leading online brokerage, investment management services, and have access to over 43,000 surcharge-free ATMs in North America with THE EXCHANGE Network in Canada and the Allpoint Network in the US.