Credit Union Development Education Program
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CUDE Scholarships

From October 1 through November 30 each year, the Foundation accepts scholarship applications to attend Credit Union Development Education (DE) training! Please read the following information carefully and if you would like to apply for a scholarship, please click here.

This scholarship opportunity is provided by the Credit Union Development Educators in North Carolina and South Carolina in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and the Carolinas Credit Union League.

What is CUDE?

The DE program is the signature education platform of the National Credit Union Foundation. The mission is to help established and emerging leaders within the credit union movement understand and leverage credit unions’ unique business model to serve members and communities in new and better ways.

Since 1982, over 2,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries have attended the U.S. DE program to earn their CUDE™ designation. Independent, international DE programs have spun off from the U.S. program, expanding the global DE alumni network to more than 4,500 individuals worldwide.

How are the scholarships funded?

The Carolinas CUDEs created the Principles & Philosophy Conference in 2010 in order to provide credit union staff with an in-depth look at the credit union business model, the Eight Cooperative Principles and the role of credit unions in the financial system. Presented in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union League and the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation each year, the conference has grown into a vital educational event for the benefit of credit union staff and volunteers. 

Earnings from the conference each year sweep into the DE Scholarship Fund at the Foundation. This fund provides scholarship opportunities to attend CUDE.

Who is eligible to apply?

DE is a week-long certification program and is ideal for credit union staff who have demonstrated through their actions their passion and commitment to credit unions.

The application criteria is as follows:

  1. You must be an employee or volunteer at a North Carolina or South Carolina credit union;
  2. You have successfully completed Principles & Philosophy Training;
  3. You have the endorsement and support of your CEO;
  4. You have a CUDE sponsor who provides a letter of recommendation.

How are recipients chosen?

Once the application window closes, a small committee of DEs reviews each submission and ranks them based on the following criteria:

  • Overall quality of the application;
  • Quality of the supporting endorsements;
  • Contributions to the credit union movement and/or community; and
  • Potential to contribute positively to the Carolinas CUDE group and the wider CUDE community.

What is included?

The scholarship covers all on-site expenses (lodging, meals and materials) for the DE training. All travel expenses to and from Madison, as well as incidentals while at the conference are the responsibility of the credit union or applicant. Please contact Jeff Hardin for more information.

How can I apply?

Applications are accepted between October 1 and November 30 each year to attend one of the four DE training events in Madison, WI the following year. You will find the application form here. Please make sure to fill the application out thoroughly and attach all supporting endorsements prior to submitting your application.

For more information

If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Hardin, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s director of collaborative programs, at 336-601-1764.