Here’s a problem that shouldn’t exist in 2024: talented students landing incredible internship opportunities, only to turn them down because they can’t afford the plane ticket to get there.
Or the interview suit. Or the temporary housing in a new city.
Addition Financial Credit Union just stepped up to help fix that. The Lake Mary-based credit union announced a new partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this week, kicking things off with a $30,000 contribution to the school’s Career Assistance Fund at their Daytona Beach Campus.
Think of it as removing the financial roadblocks that stand between students and career-launching experiences. That fund helps students cover the real-world costs of pursuing internships, co-op programs, interviews, and other opportunities that look great on a resume but can wreak havoc on a college budget.
What the Money Actually Covers
We’re talking about the unglamorous but essential stuff: travel expenses to get to that NASA internship across the country, temporary housing for a summer co-op program, transportation once you’re there, professional attire for interviews, and all those other costs that add up faster than you can say “student loans.”
The goal is simple—make sure money isn’t the reason a student has to pass on an experience that could define their career trajectory.
“Embry-Riddle has been a cornerstone of higher education and innovation in Volusia County for more than six decades, preparing generations of students to lead in aviation, aerospace and many other industries,” said Kevin Miller, president and CEO of Addition Financial Credit Union. “We are proud to begin this relationship by investing directly in students and helping them access experiences that can shape their careers. We hope this marks the beginning of a meaningful and lasting partnership between Addition Financial and the Embry-Riddle community.”
Kelly Dowling, Embry-Riddle’s senior vice president for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, emphasized the practical impact: “We are grateful for the start of this promising partnership with Addition Financial. I applaud the company’s strong commitment to higher education in Central Florida and the very real impact that Addition’s gift will have on our students, enabling them to relocate for high-level internships across the country.”
Beyond the Check: Financial Education That Actually Helps
The partnership doesn’t stop at writing a check. Addition Financial will also bring financial education workshops to campus for students, faculty, and staff. These aren’t the boring, lecture-hall sessions that make your eyes glaze over. They’re designed to provide practical information and real resources to help the Embry-Riddle community make smarter financial decisions and actually feel confident about managing money.
Because let’s be honest—most of us never got a proper education on personal finance, and we’ve been figuring it out as we go ever since.
About Embry-Riddle
For those unfamiliar, Embry-Riddle isn’t just another university. It’s been the go-to school for aviation and aerospace education since setting up headquarters in Daytona Beach back in 1965. The university is gearing up to celebrate its centennial in 2026, and it offers undergraduate and graduate programs spanning aviation, engineering, business, security, and the sciences.
Students there get more than textbook knowledge—they gain hands-on experience through internships, co-ops, research projects, student organizations, competitions, and actual flight training. It’s the kind of place where your classmate might be building a rocket or logging flight hours between study sessions.
This partnership represents exactly the kind of community investment that creates ripple effects—helping individual students today who’ll become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.