Sunward Awards $25,000 in Scholarships to Students Across the Southwest

Scholarship recipients span communities in New Mexico, California, Colorado.  

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunward Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Sunward Scholarship, with student awardees spanning across communities in New Mexico, California, and Colorado.

First established in 1995, the Sunward Scholarship is an opportunity for student members to help fund their educational journeys. The Scholarship, awarded through an essay contest, emphasizes the importance of financial wellness and financial literacy by asking students to reflect on what those concepts mean to them.

This year, Sunward expanded its support for students, offering $25,000 in scholarships for members pursuing their educational goals — a $10,000 increase compared to previous years to support two additional students.

From the Greater Albuquerque Area, New Mexico's Four Corners region, California's Bay Area, and Colorado, this year's Sunward Scholarship awardees represent the full breadth of the credit union's footprint. The five recipients of the 2026 Sunward Scholarship are:  

• Maureen Ford, from Fruitland, New Mexico, who's attending Emory University and pursuing a bachelor's degree in Human Health.
• Victoria Shaner, from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, who's attending the University of New Mexico and pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Health, Medicine & Human Values.
• Mateo Bedolla, from Tracy, California, who's attending the University of Massachusetts Global and pursuing a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a master's degree in Teaching.
• Marisol Olivas, from Belen, New Mexico, who's attending New Mexico State University and pursuing a master's degree in Agriculture – Agribusiness.
• Thadeus Walsh, from Fort Collins, Colorado, who's attending the University of Arizona and pursuing a bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering.  

"The Sunward Scholarship is a long-standing way we give back to our communities and directly support the next generation of Sunward members," said Steph Sherrodd, Sunward President & CEO. "Increasing scholarship funding this year reflects our commitment to helping more students pursue their education while expanding our positive impact on individuals, families, and communities throughout the Southwest and beyond."

More than 170 students submitted essays as part of the Scholarship contest this year. Students were asked to explain how financial literacy can support personal and community well-being by discussing at least two ways that understanding financial concepts can help people navigate challenges or reduce stress, while acknowledging limits to what financial knowledge alone can solve.

Promoting financial wellness for members and communities is core to Sunward's vision of redefining the cooperative spirit of financial services.

To learn more about this year's recipients and read excerpts from the winning essays, please visit gosunward.org/scholarship-winners.

Details on the 2027 Sunward Scholarship will be released next spring, including essay prompt and specific submission guidelines. More information can be found at gosunward.org.  

Sunward Federal Credit Union is one of New Mexico's largest credit unions, serving over 175,000 members and managing more than $4.5 billion in assets. Formed in 1948 by employees of Sandia National Laboratories, Sunward's footprint spans 16 branches across the Southwest and California.

Sunward has been named one of America's Best Regional Credit Unions by Newsweek and recognized as a top local credit union by the Albuquerque Journal and Albuquerque Business First. Anyone can apply to open an account, and members can enjoy access to checking, savings, mortgage, auto, credit card and investment services.

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit gosunward.org.

SOURCE Sunward Federal Credit Union