Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are now closed. Check back next spring for the 2024 school year round of applications!
Charles Perkins Scholarships
Three $1,500 scholarships are named in honor of Charles Perkins, who served as general manager and president of Freedom First Credit Union.
City of Salem/Frank Turk Scholarship
One $1,500 scholarship is named in recognition of the City of Salem Employees Credit Union. Frank Turk served as its president from 1978-2004. Freedom First is grateful for the many years that Frank Turk served on its Board of Directors.
Fritz Kehn Scholarship
One $1,500 scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Fred C. "Fritz" Kehn, who was one of the original charter members of the Credit Union. A former General Electric sheet metal foreman in Salem, Fritz served as the first Credit Union president in 1956.
Tim Sutphin Scholarship
One $1,500 scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Tim Sutphin, who served on the Freedom First Board of Directors for over 20 years. Tim's compassion and uncompromising belief in the Credit Union principle of "People Helping People" gives solid foundation to the honor and high praise he has earned from Credit Union volunteers and members he has served over the years.
Torie Phillips Memorial Scholarship
Freedom First Credit Union sponsors the Torie Phillips Memorial Scholarship, which honors the memory and life of Lord Botetourt High School student Torie Phillips through one $1,500 scholarship to a LBHS senior who demonstrates exemplary character and academic achievement.
Virginia Tech General Scholarship Fund
Freedom First contributes each year to the Virginia Tech General Scholarship Fund.







Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients

  • Carson Gilmore (Charles Perkins Scholarship)
  • Blake Smith (Charles Perkins Scholarship)
  • Cameron Marindale (Charles Perkins Scholarship)
  • Lawrence Moore (City of Salem/Frank Turk Scholarship)
  • Ashlin Hicks (Fritz Kehn Scholarship)
  • Chandler Sutphin (Tim Sutphin Scholarship)
  • Mia Grace D'Arpa (Torie Phillips Memorial Scholarship)








For more information on this program, contact our Community Development Team.

At Freedom First, we measure our value by how much we give back.