CUDE Scholarships
Applications are being accepted through Friday, November 1 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?
CUDE is a program of the National Credit Union Foundation. Through transformative education, immersive events and collaboration, DE builds awareness of the development issues that prevent people from achieving financial freedom—and how credit unions are uniquely positioned to address them.
More than 3,000 people from over 35 countries have graduated from the U.S. DE program since its launch in 1982. For more information about the CUDE program and to check upcoming training dates, please click here.
In addition to CUDE, World Council also offers an International CUDE (ICUDE) designation. Credit union advocates earn this designation by completing CUDE and following up with a series of projects and trainings to enhance awareness of international Development Issues and challenges. Click here to learn more about ICUDE and the criteria for earning the designation.
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:
- You must be an employee or volunteer at a North Carolina or South Carolina credit union;
- You have successfully completed Principles & Philosophy Training;
- You have the endorsement and support of your CEO;
- 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 being accepted through November 1 to attend one of the four in-person or one virtual DE training events in 2025. 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.