Ascend Awards Over $40,000 in Scholarships
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TULLAHOMA, Tenn., August 4, 2026 - Ascend Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in Middle Tennessee, announced today that it has awarded $25,000 in individual academic scholarships to 10 members and an additional $18,500 in scholarship funding to Fisk University and Middle Tennessee State University. This marks the 24th consecutive year that the credit union has provided funds to support higher education initiatives.
The 2026 individual member scholarship recipients include:
Ashlynn Anderson; Tracy City, TN; Bryan College – Dayton
Shannon Bean; Murfreesboro, TN; Middle Tennessee State University
Mackenzie Brown; Nashville, TN; South College
Soziema Dauda; Antioch, TN; The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Neftali Garcia; Murfreesboro, TN; Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla
Briley Hunt; Murfreesboro, TN; The University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Megan Lampley; Dickson, TN; Lipscomb University
Ashlyn Patton; Columbia, TN; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jocelyn Romines; Paris, TN; Western Kentucky University
Brandon Walker; Winchester, TN; Rice University
The annual scholarship program reflects Ascend's ongoing commitment to investing in the success of its members and community by helping students pursue their educational goals and prepare for future careers. Since launching its member scholarship program in 2003, Ascend has awarded over $300,000 in individual scholarships.
"At Ascend, we believe showing up for our members means supporting them at every stage of life, including their educational journeys," said Ascend President and CEO Matt Jernigan. "We're proud to support students across our community and excited to see the impact they'll make for themselves, their families, and the communities they call home."
To qualify for the individual scholarship, applicants must be members of Ascend Federal Credit Union and plan to enroll or prove enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, technical or trade school in pursuit of an associate, bachelors, masters, or other advanced-degree program in the next academic year.
Members interested in applying for Ascend’s individual academic scholarship during the 2027 application window can find application details posted late fall at ascend.org/scholarships.Scholarship recipients may reapply in future years if they continue to meet program requirements. Ascend employees, officials, and their immediate family members are not eligible.
About Ascend Federal Credit Union
With more than 265,000 members and assets surpassing $4.5 billion, Ascend Federal Credit Union is Middle Tennessee’s largest federally chartered credit union. Headquartered in Tullahoma, Tenn., the not-for-profit financial institution is dedicated to empowering its members through comprehensive financial services, including personal banking, loans, retirement planning, and investment solutions. The Ascend network consists of 28 branch locations and is complemented by over 55,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide and a robust mobile app offering a range of features. Ascend's commitment extends beyond the concept of traditional banking, with a strong focus on financial education and significant community investment. Ascend is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. For more information, visit ascend.org.