United Heritage H. Ralph Wilburn Memorial Scholarship

The United Heritage Charity Foundation awards college scholarship funds to high school seniors who best exemplify the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.” The Charity Foundation recognizes it's important for students to have a well-rounded scholastic, extra-curricular, community service and character building experience throughout their high school careers. We have developed an application and selection process to find these extraordinary students each year. Two deserving students will each be awarded a $10,000 scholarship towards higher education in the Fall. 

Apply Today! Two students will be awarded with $10,000
Where our scholarship name originated

In Memoriam - Dr. H. Ralph Wilburn

Dr. H. Ralph Wilburn was a longtime United Heritage Credit Union and United Heritage Charity Foundation Board member who passed away in August of 2021. He was passionate about education and taught at St. Edward's University for nearly 20 years, until the time of his passing. His commitment to education was also highlighted through the scholarship program of United Heritage Charity Foundation as the driving force behind the application and selection process. Because of Dr. Wilburn's involvement with the scholarship program, the United Heritage Charity Foundation Board of Directors elected to re-name the scholarship program as the United Heritage H. Ralph Wilburn Memorial Scholarship in his honor.

Check presentation to Lauren Smets at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX.
Lauren Smets

2026 Scholarship Recipient

Lauren Smets, a graduating senior from Lake Travis High School, is one of two recipients of the 2026 United Heritage H. Ralph Wilburn Memorial Scholarship. Ranked 49th in a class of 887, Lauren will attend the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business this fall. An entrepreneur since age 11, she successfully grew her own bakery business while excelling academically and serving her community through leadership, volunteerism, and mentorhsip. Her dedication, initiaitive, and commitment to helping others make her an outstanding scholarship recipient. 

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Michael Vangeli

2026 Scholarship Recipient

Michael Vangeli, a graduating senior from Vista Ridge High School, is one of two recipients of the 2026 United Heritage H. Ralph Wilburn Memorial Scholarship. Ranked 24th in a class of 644, Michael will attend the University of Texas at Austin this fall to pursue his passion for music. An accomplished tuba musician, he has earned prestigious state and national honors while balancing academics, musical performance, and work responsibilities. His talent, dedication, and ambitious goals make him a deserving recipient of this scholarship.

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Check presentation to Michael Vangeli at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX.
Everything Required of Scholarship Applicants

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
  • Applicants must be a member of United Heritage Credit Union. To become a member, visit uhcu.org and select 'Open an Account' at top of the page.
  • Applicants must complete the full online scholarship application and upload the required additional documents (listed below).   
     
    • Scholarship Activities Workbook (Scholastic, Extracurricular & Community Service)
    • One (1) Essay Response
    • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • Scholarship recipient must attend an institution of higher learning or a UHCF approved non-traditional school the following fall.
  • If under the age of 18, applicants must have a parent or legal guardian digitally sign the application.
  • Interviews may be held with the top five scholarship finalists.

Download Scholarship Activities Workbook Complete Scholarship Qualifications & Requirements

What are the Required Additional Documents?

Scholastic Achievements

All honors courses, AP courses, college prep courses, etc. 

Extracurricular Activities

All extracurricular activities you participated in during the past 4 years (e.g., student government, music/ band, drill team, sports, etc.). Describe your participation in each activity. Also include the number of hours per month invested in each endeavor, the total hours for each, and a grand total of hours for all for all extracurricular activities. Include any leadership positions held and any special awards received. Please do not list any paid work.

Community Service Involvement

All volunteer community service activities you have participated in during the past 4 years (e.g., Red Cross, hospital volunteer, recycling project, food kitchen, etc.). Describe your participation in each activity. Also include the number of hours per month invested in each endeavor, the total hours for each, and a grand total of hours for all community and civic service. Include any leadership positions held and any special awards received. Please do not list any paid work.

Unofficial School Transcript

An unofficial school transcript is also required. This can either be uploaded with the applicant's application or sent separately by the school. It should show details from the applicant's full high school record up to as close to the application date as possible.

Essay

Applicants must complete one essay. Your essay should not exceed 1000 words. Please type this essay on a separate document and upload it with your online application. The topics your essay should cover are included below.

Your essay must cover 1 of the 2 topics below:

  1. Explain your financial need and why you should be considered for this scholarship.
  2. How have you contributed to your community and how has it impacted you personally?
You will also select 2 topics below to cover in your essay:
 
  1. Share a time you failed and learned from it.
  2. Share a time you stepped up as a leader.
  3. What are your academic (or professional) goals?

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation.

  1. From a supervisor/teacher with a school affiliation to the applicant
  2. From a supervisor of a community service or other organization the applicant is/was a part of during their high school career

Start Your Scholarship Application

Complete Scholarship Application

Before You Start - Be sure you've downloaded the Scholarship Activities Workbook
You will need to complete this document and upload it within the application form.

Scholarship History

Since 2000, we've been able to award over 30 scholarships to deserving high school students for a total of over $100,000. Learning about these students every year and being a part of their education story means a lot to everyone involved with the Charity Foundation. We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to share their story with us over the years and look forward to many more in the years to come.
Past Scholarship Recipients

Complete Scholarship Qualifications & Requirements