How to apply now for a $5,000 scholarship + one local recipient's story

Sponsored

Redstone Federal Credit Union scholarship recipient Sydni Diaz studies with peers on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama — Pharmacy school student Sydni Diaz studies with peers at Samford University. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

College decisions can be as daunting as they are exciting, from choosing what to study to selecting a school and figuring out how to pay for it all.

In 2021, a scholarship from Redstone Federal Credit Union answered some of those questions for Sydni Diaz of Decatur. The award set her on the path she’s on today, studying to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Samford University.

Read on to see how the scholarship helped Sydni advance her education and how you can apply for 2026 awards.

From student worker to PharmD candidate

Redstone Federal Credit Union scholarship recipient Sydni Diaz on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama — Sydni Diaz was a student worker for Redstone Federal Credit Union during her junior and senior years at Decatur High School. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Sydni’s connection to Redstone started when she was a Decatur High School student, where she says working at one of the credit union’s student-led branches was a major turning point.

“It was an introduction to life, and it definitely taught me many, many things about teamwork, communication and dependability.”
_{Doctor of Pharmacy candidate Sydni Diaz}

Diaz says that early experience set her up for what would come next, including working at pharmacies during high school and college. She also became eligible to apply for a Redstone scholarship during her senior year, ultimately winning the award.

Staying on track with options open

Redstone Federal Credit Union scholarship recipient Sydni Diaz talks with peers on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama — Sydni Diaz takes a break between classes with fellow students at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Since 1996, Redstone has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to members pursuing associate and bachelor’s degrees. Scholarships are available for members planning to attend eight partner schools, plus five are awarded at large to members attending accredited colleges and universities nationwide.

Diaz started at Calhoun Community College and moved to UAB after winning a nursing school scholarship. There, she was able to put the Redstone award to use covering tuition for a summer semester and other out-of-pocket costs not otherwise covered.

Although her original desire to pursue pharmacy kept calling her back, she was able to complete important nursing school course work that proved to be transferrable as credits and experiences toward the next step.

Financial flexibility + fine-tuning goals

Two women walk and talk on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama — Sydni Diaz and a classmate take a break for a walk between classes. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

“Without that money, I wouldn’t have been able to stay there. It definitely aided in my lifelong knowledge and boosted my application to get into McWhorter when they saw my grades and what courses I had taken. And it definitely was a talking point when I interviewed in person.”
_{Doctor of Pharmacy candidate Sydni Diaz}

Now in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy, she says her focus within the field is much sharper, with her ultimate goal to become a specialized pharmacist in a clinical setting.

Driving that decision has been her exposure to clinical settings in nursing school and retail settings as a pharmacy technician. (She earned her tech certificate at age 17 and, since then, has worked for pharmacies either full-time or part-time while attending school.)

How to apply + helpful advice

Diaz urges Redstone members to jump on the opportunity to apply for the scholarship program.

“Definitely, scholarships are meant to be taken advantage of. When it comes time to go to school, it can be very, very expensive. It is always worth it to apply, and you will never know until you try.”
_{Doctor of Pharmacy candidate Sydni Diaz}

Here’s how to apply:

Redstone Federal Credit Union Scholarship Program essentials

Application window: Dec. 1-Feb. 28 each year
Who can apply: High school seniors, current college students + adults returning to school
Requirements: Must be a Redstone member (or eligible and willing to join) and accepted to or enrolled in an accredited college or university to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree. Restrictions apply.
Where to apply: Learn more + start your application here

Sponsored by: