Scholarship Opportunity Near You in Lancaster

graduation cap on money pile

About the Scholarship

Lanco Federal Credit Union’s Gerald Fortney Memorial Scholarship is a $2,000 award granted annually to a graduating high school senior planning to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution.

Scholarship Application Packet

History of the Scholarship

Lanco FCU’s Board of Directors established the scholarship in 1985 in memory of Gerald Fortney, Lanco FCU’s founding CEO and an educator in the Hempfield School District. To honor Mr. Fortney’s passion for the business field, the scholarship was originally open only to students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field of study. Recognizing changes within the employment and educational landscapes, in 2019, the Board expanded scholarship eligibility to preserve the spirit of the scholarship and memory of Mr. Fortney’s dedication to students’ educational and career success.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be a member of the current graduating class and must be a Lanco FCU member, or the child/in legal custody of a Lanco FCU member, in good standing. Applicant must have been accepted at an accredited institution and be planning to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in any field of study. Applicant must have demonstrated a willingness to be of service to the community and a mature and respectful attitude toward peers and teachers.

Selection & Awarding Process

Graduation cap sitting on pile of moneyA scholarship committee, comprised of members of Lanco FCU’s Board of Directors, will review the applications. School records, community and school service, teacher recommendations, and the student’s original essay or video will all be considered in determining the award recipient. Demonstrated financial need may also be considered. Interviews may be conducted with finalists. The scholarship winner will be selected and notified no later than June 30, and the award will be made after the fall semester has begun. The winner will be announced in the Lanco FCU Fall newsletter and at lancofcu.com.

Scholarship Applications

The application period is held annually beginning in January, with applications due by April 1.

To apply, submit the following by April 1, 2023:

  1. The completed Gerald Fortney Memorial Scholarship Application.
  2. A statement written by the student outlining areas of service to the school and community.
  3. Two recommendation forms completed by a classroom teacher.
  4. Official high school transcript.
  5. Your choice of an original essay (300-500 words) OR video (2-5 minutes) about one of the
    following topics:

    • What credit union membership means to me
    • How credit unions can attract youth members
    • The history of credit unions

Combine all items in one envelope and send to:

GFM Scholarship Committee
Lanco Federal Credit Union
349 West Roseville Road
Lancaster, PA 17601

To submit the video application:

E-mail the video, or a link to it (ex: your video on YouTube), to scholarship@lancofcu.com.

2022 Scholarship Recipient

Photo of Edward Proffitt
Lanco FCU was pleased to award Edward Proffitt of Lancaster with the 2022 Gerald Fortney Memorial Scholarship.

A member of Lanco FCU and the 2022 graduating class of The Hill School, Edward demonstrated excellent character through leadership roles in sports and academic activities, including serving as captain of the varsity squash team, captain of the PennDOT Innovations Challenge team, and head dorm prefect, just to name a few.

With an entrepreneurial spirit and interest in business and economics, Edward plans to attend Yale University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics. Lanco FCU wishes Mr. Proffitt the best in his future endeavors.