Ignite My Future Scholarship
PATRICK MOCHAN | Midview High School
Some lead by example: and David’s gift for fostering personal connections and standing as a role model is how he gives back. As a Youth Challenge volunteer, he brought athletics, the arts, and positive social experiences to young campers with disabilities. Back at school, David is a dedicated participant in the Big Brother Mentorship Program. Having benefitted from the support of a senior student himself, David carries on that legacy by encouraging and guiding incoming freshmen. David saw the impact of his mentorship while volunteering with the Arrupe Summer program. He was partnered with a student struggling to fit in amicably with other students; so David went above and beyond to model peaceful and cooperative solutions. By the end of the program, David’s mentee heard the message and was passing it on to other students who were having trouble. David is a beacon whose volunteering efforts and influence makes his community stronger.
DAVID TELBAN | St. Ignatius
Patrick’s own words summarize what drives him: “Making my community a better place has always been about fostering meaningful connections and creating opportunities for others to thrive.” This Student Council Co-President is a keen problem solver and planner. You might find Patrick assisting athletes and students with disabilities as a volunteer for both Special Olympics and the Best Buddies program. He was instrumental in providing 600 books to local children in need, and participated in efforts to warm up the holidays with seasonal surprises for elderly residents in a time of year that often feels lonely and isolating. Community need not be local either – as Patrick’s work in Panama culminated in the construction of a school for underprivileged children. Building inviting, inclusive spaces that bring people together – that’s how Patrick gives back.
Supporting Students
Are you a teen with a passion for supporting the community? You may be eligible for the Ignite My Future Scholarship, available exclusively for Club Ignite members. Each year, FFCCU will award two (2) $1,000 scholarships to deserving high-school students. Our 2026 application period begins December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
KUDOS!
I called about a car loan for my daughter, who is a student, and Sumintra helped determine the best option. I have been a member for 25+ years, and always get great answers and help with our financial...
-Sandy
Thanks to Brian Velioniskis, our financial goals are back on track. He explained the options for setting up our home equity loan very clearly and made the process easy.
-Jeff C.
The quick response was A-1. The respect was apparent, and the knowledge? –muah!– [chef’s kiss] Thanks to the North Ridgeville Branch team!
Kim M.
I work with banks and credit unions on a daily basis, and FFCCU goes above and beyond to help its members. Thank you all for making the process easy to understand and treating me like a person.
-Jennifer
The FFCCU team went above and beyond to help my 16-year-old get onto her mobile app. They were very helpful and kind. Definitely #peoplehelpingpeople and #CUDifference!
-Donna P.
Jovan, Bev, Jenny, and the other personnel at the Wellington branch are absolutely Rock Stars. They have always been so helpful, they are the greatest 😊
Sue S.
Wow!!! You give me the best customer service!!! I’m an 8-year Member and can say my Credit Union performs like nothing else. They take such a personal interest in all my issues, great and small.
-David W.
I’ve been with FFCCU for over 25 years and always have great experiences. Lisa Snell was no exception: whether online or meeting in person to close my auto loan, she’s fantastic!
-Julie Z.
I have been a member since 2011. Everyone has always been very helpful and quick to respond. There have also been steady improvements year after year, especially with online banking. I love supporting...
Eric
Big kudos to the West Side CLE branch. I secured my new car loan with a rate better than what the dealer was offering. FFCCU has always been my go-to for car loans for this very reason!
-Bridget E.
The live chat team always does an outstanding job handling my frequent use of online messaging. I’m hearing impaired and prefer messaging to phone calls. They handle all my issues quickly and thorough...
-Denny J.
Emily answered my text quickly (on a Saturday morning!) and helped me promptly with my request. I love the text feature at FFCCU!!
-Amanda J.
Rules and Eligibility Information
- Applicants in grade 12 must be planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or accredited trade or vocational school.
- Students in grades 9-11 must be planning to attend a tuition-based high-school or taking courses for college credit, with out of pocket tuition expenses, in the upcoming fall semester.
- The scholarship money is applied to the upcoming fall semester tuition.
- ALL requested information must be received for application to be considered.
- Scholarship funds will be made payable to the institution specified by the winners.
- Scholarship winners must agree to allow their name and information to be published by the credit union for promotional purposes.
- This is not a one-time scholarship. However, applicants must complete a new application to be considered for each academic year.
Additional Info to Know
FFCCU employees and board members, and their immediate family members (siblings, parents/guardians or grandparents, or any family members living in the same household) are not eligible.
The selection committee, comprised of FFCCU Board Members and Teammates, will individually evaluate each application without identifying information. Applicants will be considering community involvement, essay, and cumulative GPA. The selection committee will not review any additional information given. FFCCU will complete a scoring sheet for each application by each selection committee member. The highest scoring applicants will move to a final round where FFCCU judge panels will determine the winners.
Please follow the submission instructions outlined on the application webpage, available December 1. Applicants must submit electronically. FFCCU will not consider applications delivered in person. If you do not follow directions thoroughly, your application will not be considered. The complete application must include all the required supplements. Students must submit their applications no later than January 31, 2025.
FFCCU will notify only winners of the Ignite My Future Scholarship. Checks will be made payable to the educational institution that the applicant has chosen to attend and mailed directly to that institution. Firefighters Community Credit Union asks that each recipient allow the credit union to use their name and photograph in promotional materials and press releases.