Samuel Smith, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, is soaring toward his dreams after winning a $5,000 for college from Tinker Federal Credit Union. A native of Yukon, Oklahoma, Samuel is majoring in professional piloting and is already a licensed private pilot.
College and career goals
“I’ll be doing advanced flying this summer and this scholarship will help with the cost of flying in college,” Samuel said. “Flying is expensive, and this really helps me get started.”
In addition to his studies, Samuel is involved with OU’s Air Force ROTC and works part-time at a gun store. Despite a busy schedule, he still finds time to relax and play video games.
How he found out about the scholarship
Samuel first learned about the scholarship through TFCU when he noticed a QR code while depositing money.
“I scanned it, applied and about a month later, I got the call that I had won,” he said. “I was napping on the couch with my dogs when I got the call. I called my dad right after and he was really excited, too.”
Why TFCU matters to Samuel
A TFCU member thanks to the urging of his father, Samuel appreciates the credit union’s focus on people over profits.
“It tells me that people come first, not money, which is one of the reasons I like credit unions so much better than regular banks,” he said.
Looking ahead
With this scholarship, Samuel is one step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a professional pilot and serving in the U.S. Air Force.
About TFCU’s College Cash giveaway
Each year TFCU chooses five students from thousands of entrants to win $5,000 to use toward costs for college and other living expenses. Learn more and see past winners here.