Veridian Credit Union has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to eight students for the 2025-2026 academic year. Scholarships of $2,500 each were awarded to Veridian members in two categories, including high school and post-high school.
“There’s no better investment we could make in the future of our communities than in our youth,” said Veridian President and CEO Renee Christoffer. “We’re proud to support these students and wish them all the best as they build the future they envision.”
Applicants submitted an essay explaining a personal experience that shaped a financial lesson in their life. 2025 Veridian Scholarship recipients include:
| High School Recipients | ||||
| Name | City | High School | University | Amount |
| Ariana Bajramovic | Waterloo, Iowa | Waterloo West High School | Iowa State University | $2,500 |
| Katelyn Castor | Marion, Iowa | Linn-Mar High School | University of Iowa | $2,500 |
| Owen Marett | Des Moines, Iowa | Theodore Roosevelt High School | Creighton University | $2,500 |
| Layla Nguyen | Ankeny, Iowa | Ankeny Centennial High School | Des Moines Area Community College | $2,500 |
| Post-High School Recipients | |||
| Name | City | University | Amount |
| Evan Carlile | Bennington, Nebraska | University of Nebraska – Omaha | $2,500 |
| Lejla Mehmedovic | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Carleton College | $2,500 |
| Aryana Miller | Moravia, Iowa | University of Iowa | $2,500 |
| Kevin Sanchez Diaz | Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa State University | $2,500 |
Veridian Scholarships were administered in partnership with the Iowa Credit Union Foundation. The Iowa Credit Union Foundation also recently awarded Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarships to two Veridian members. Veridian members who are 2025 Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship recipients include Jasmine Reyes-Cosmen of Des Moines ($2,000) and Matt Reifenstahl of Dysart ($1,000).
Veridian Credit Union, founded in 1934 in Waterloo, Iowa, is a financial cooperative owned by the people who use its products and services – its members. The credit union offers a full range of business and consumer financial services with more than 1,000 employees and 32 branches across Iowa, eastern Nebraska and the Twin Cities metro area. For more information, visit veridiancu.org or call (800) 235-3228.