WYCUP SCHOLARSHIP

A world of opportunity.


Connect your career to a world of opportunities through the WYCUP Scholarship.

The World's Young Credit Union Professionals Scholarship Program connects emerging leaders to a world of opportunity through our global network of credit unions and financial cooperatives. These annual awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership and exemplify a commitment to improving lives through financial cooperatives.

The WYCUP scholarship includes airfare, hotel and registration fees to attend one of the following events.
  • April 15—22, 2023 – The Sicredi Youth Summit in Iguazu, Brazil will bring together representatives from across an inspiring youth empowerment initiative at one of the world’s great natural wonders, Iguazu Falls. The power of collaboration is evident throughout the Sicredi credit union system, which links more than 100 credit unions under a shared brand and technology platform. Scholarship recipients will experience the impact of community engagement and product innovation made possible through this unique model for cooperation.
  • July 21—27, 2023 – The World Credit Union Conference in Vancouver, Canada represents the world’s largest gathering of emerging leaders and credit union professionals. This year, the WYCUP Global Youth Summit will bring together emerging leaders from around the world. Scholarship recipients will connect with the pulse of our global movement and build new relationships with your global peers during 5 full days of learning, networking and exchange.
Scholarship recipients will engage with their global peers during virtual and in-person events throughout the year as we explore opportunities for greater collaboration on our shared global challenges.

Scholarship Application Materials


Details on the WYCUP Scholarship and application form. Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2022.
Click here

Previous Scholarship Recipients

Links to videos of previous WYCUP scholarship recipients. 
Click Here

Why WYCUP?
WYCUP is unique among professional networks. We share global perspectives and empower emerging leaders who are empathetic, innovative and better prepared to lead financial cooperatives to a brighter future. Our credit unions might work locally, but people connected through WYCUP are applying their local   actions to our shared global challenges. In the process, we’re changing the relationship between our organizations and young people around the world. By investing in young leaders like you today, credit unions and financial cooperatives are ensuring our shared success and sustainability tomorrow.

Who should participate?
The scholarship is open to individuals (40 years of age and younger) who recognize the potential for financial cooperatives to make the world a better place. Employees and volunteers from credit unions that are affiliated with WOCCU member organizations are welcome to apply. If you are passionate about your work within the sector and want to share your talents and experience with your global peers, this is the professional development opportunity for you!

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the WYCUP scholarship, individuals must:

  • Be 40 years of age or younger on January 1, 2023.
  • Demonstrate passion, leadership, personal commitment and the potential to influence credit unions or financial cooperatives within or outside their country.
  • Be an active employee and/or volunteer with a credit union or cooperative financial institution. Preference will be given to applicants who are actively engaged with local young professional networks, or those who are actively working to create a local network.
  • Be endorsed by a credit union, cooperative financial institution or national/regional association that is either a member of the World Council of Credit Unions or is affiliated with one of its members. A list of World Council member organizations can be found here.
  • Not have been a previous WYCUP scholarship recipient or a current World Council employee.

Application Checklist
An eligible application for the WYCUP scholarship includes the following:

  • An application form completed by the candidate and their sponsor.
  • Proof of age (e.g., copy of passport, driver’s license, birth certificate or other official document).
  • A video of the applicant responding to the questions noted on the Application Form.
  • WYCUP scholarship nominations must be received by December 31, 2022. Applications and any supporting materials should be directed to wycup@woccu.org.

Notes on the Video Requirement

  • The video should be a maximum of 5 minutes in duration.
  • Please ensure the video is recorded in landscape / horizontal format.
  • Nominees must upload their videos to YouTube. The video should be titled: “Your Name - WYCUP 2022”. The link to the video must be noted on the Nomination Form.
  • Click here to see examples of past WYCUP scholarship recipient videos.
  • All nomination materials become the property of World Council and may be used for promotional purposes in World Council’s educational, news or promotional material, whether in print, electronic or other media, including the World Council website.

Selection Process
A panel of World Council staff and WYCUP alumni will review all applications based upon the criteria noted in the eligibility requirements. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the WYCUP Affiliates Council meeting on February 2, 2023. The WYCUP scholarship includes conference registration fees, travel costs and hotel accommodations to attend either the Sicredi Youth Summit in Iguazu, Brazil or the World Credit Union Conference and Global Youth Summit in Vancouver, Canada. 

Scholarship Recipient Responsibilities

  • Scholarship recipients will play an active role throughout the year following the award, sharing their experience and attending quarterly meetings of the WYCUP Affiliates Council.
  • Scholarship recipients are strongly encouraged to document international engagement in social media, actively participate during WYCUP events and support collaboration between WYCUP and local networks. 
  • Scholarship recipients and their sponsoring organizations will sign a commitment letter recognizing these responsibilities. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the scholarship.


Thank you to CUNA Mutual Group for enriching our professional journeys as champion Sponsors of the WYCUP Scholarship Program!