Recipients were selected from a large, competitive field that included graduating seniors planning to attend a 2- or 4-year college, as well as vocational, continuing, and nontraditional students.
(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) — SELCO Community Credit Union recently awarded $77,500 in scholarships to 21 students throughout Oregon as part of its annual scholarship program. This year’s scholarship recipients were honored at a luncheon last week at SELCO’s headquarters in Springfield.
SELCO awarded 20 scholarships, each worth $3,500, to students representing seven Oregon counties. In addition, SELCO awarded Peyton Caldwell of Eugene the $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship—given to a Lane County student who demonstrates excellence in education, leadership, or civic responsibility despite adversity or lack of opportunity.
Part of the SELCO Steps Up philanthropy initiative, SELCO’s scholarship program aims to address the rising cost of school. Costs are the most often-cited barrier for those who aspire to attend college. SELCO’s scholarships can also be used for any educational-related expense, so they are uniquely suited to helping students meet the demands of rising costs and better meet a variety of student needs.
Recently, the program expanded eligibility to include vocational, continuing, and nontraditional students, as well as high school seniors planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college.
“Today’s students are pursuing a wide range of paths, and our scholarship program is designed to meet them where they are,” said Olivia Sorensen, SELCO’s Community Development Supervisor. “The depth of this year’s applicant pool made the selection process incredibly competitive, and recipients reflect the determination, resilience, and ambition we see across our communities.”
To qualify, applicants must be a SELCO member or the immediate family of a SELCO member. Applicants must also have a GED or cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (or a 3.0 GPA in their last college term) and plan to attend a vocational school or an accredited two- or four-year college/university.
The 2026 SELCO Scholarship recipients are:
$7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship
|
Name |
City |
County |
School to attend |
|
Peyton Caldwell |
Eugene |
Lane |
Oregon State University |
$3,500 SELCO Scholarships (arranged by county)
|
Name |
City |
County |
School to attend |
|
Ryan Quinn |
Prineville |
Crook |
University of Oregon |
|
Luis Castro Hernandez |
Bend |
Deschutes |
Oregon State University-Cascades |
|
Tavia Zepnewski |
Bend |
Deschutes |
University of New Mexico |
|
Abigail Castelan Cordero |
Eugene |
Lane |
Lane Community College |
|
Peter Gault |
Springfield |
Lane |
Oregon State University |
|
Gabriela Gonzalez Manuel |
Junction City |
Lane |
University of Oregon |
|
Abigail Green |
Springfield |
Lane |
University of Oregon |
|
Charlie Joye |
Eugene |
Lane |
University of British Columbia |
|
Miranda Marquez Curiel |
Eugene |
Lane |
Washington State University |
|
Alexis Marshall |
Eugene |
Lane |
Lane Community College |
|
Alejandra Martinez |
Springfield |
Lane |
Oregon State University |
|
Miranda Ryker |
Springfield |
Lane |
University of Oregon |
|
Goush Shaik |
Eugene |
Lane |
Stanford University |
|
Madison Thurman |
Springfield |
Lane |
Umpqua Community College |
|
Laina Ward |
Springfield |
Lane |
Willamette University |
|
Reena Zhao |
Eugene |
Lane |
Rice University |
|
Marissa Fox |
Albany |
Linn |
Linn Benton Community College |
|
Anonymous |
Salem |
Marion |
Western Governor’s University |
|
Dean Burwash |
Dallas |
Polk |
Oregon State University |
|
Trent Dearborn |
Tigard |
Washington |
Cal Poly State University |
SELCO started its scholarship program in 1991 as an important component of its mission to help members reach their financial and educational goals. In the past three years alone, SELCO has awarded more than $230,000 to students taking the next step in their education.
For more on the recipients, visit selco.org/steps-up/scholarships/2026-recipients/, and CLICK HERE for images from last week’s luncheon.
For more information on the scholarship program or other SELCO Steps Up programs, visit www.selco.org/steps-up.
About SELCO Steps Up:
The SELCO Steps Up program aims to create positive, innovative, lasting change through volunteerism, resource support, and collaboration with community partners. In 2025 alone, SELCO reinvested nearly $415,000 in the communities it serves through educator grants, scholarships, and impact-driven sponsorships, while SELCO team members committed nearly 1,700 volunteer hours. As a credit union founded by teachers, education is a cornerstone of these efforts, with a focus on removing barriers to financial literacy. By empowering individuals and families to achieve financial well-being, SELCO strives to build a strong foundation for all its members and neighbors. Learn more at selco.org/steps-up.
About SELCO Community Credit Union:
Founded in 1936 by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union today serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longest-standing Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.9 billion in assets, SELCO provides exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483.
Contacts
Jacob Berns, SELCO, 541-338-3841, jberns@selco.org
Zack Hall, DVA Advertising & PR, 775-338-0745, zack@dvaadv.com
