December 14, 2023

MSUFCU Announces First Dreams Take Flight Scholarship Recipients

EAST LANSING, Mich. — MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) is excited to announce the first recipients of its Dreams Take Flight scholarship to help make flight time more accessible and affordable to area high school juniors and seniors interested in an aviation career.

This year’s selected recipients are Lillian Schneider, a junior at DeWitt High School, and Ty Wardin, a junior at St. Johns High School. MSUFCU’s program provides two $5,000 scholarships to assist with the costs associated with flight lessons.

The Aviation Careers Institute, a partnership between the Capital Region International Airport and Eaton Regional Education Service Agency, offers high school juniors and seniors in all school districts and academies in Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton counties the unique opportunity to learn about careers in aviation; take part in classroom lessons; and utilize flight simulators to learn the basics of flight, plane management, and ground school.

“Offering this scholarship empowers local students to reach their aviation dreams by providing financial support for their required flight time,” said Arianna Ridderbusch, MSUFCU’s Vice President of Community Impact. “MSUFCU is proud to partner with Eaton RESA, Crosswinds Aviation, and Capital Region International Airport to encourage students right here in the mid-Michigan community and help their Dreams Take Flight.”

To qualify, applicants must be a high school junior or senior in Eaton, Ingham, or Clinton counties who plans to attend or is currently attending the Aviation Careers Institute, Crosswinds Aviation, or another flight school partner to earn a pilot’s license.

Submissions were reviewed by a committee made up of individuals from MSUFCU, the Capital Region Airport Authority, Eaton RESA, and Crosswinds Aviation.

“Congratulations to the recipients of the MSUFCU Dreams Take Flight scholarship,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority. “Their passion for aviation has not only earned them this well-deserved recognition but has also taken them one step closer to achieving a career in aviation. MSUFCU’s investment in this program and aviation education is a testament to its shared commitment of fostering excellence and providing access and opportunities for a career in aviation to our local students and community, and we are so grateful for their investment and partnership.”

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