The Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for Truliant members or dependents who are high school graduates entering college.
Truliant is proud to award multiple scholarships every year to improve the lives of members who want to further their education. Scholarship opportunities exist for high school students entering college and for children of Truliant employees and board members.
2025 Scholarships:
Fred J. Sarda Scholarships – $1,500 each
Applicants must be:
(1) A first-time college student
(2) A high school senior accepted to be enrolled in an accredited college, community college or university in Fall 2025
(3) A member of Truliant Federal Credit Union
These funds are provided by Truliant Federal Credit Union in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation.
Clyde Padgett Scholarship – $2,500
Eligible applicants must be:
(1) A first-time college student
(2) A high school senior accepted to be enrolled in an accredited college, community college or university in Fall 2025
(3) A dependent of a current Truliant employee, an employee retired with full benefits or a volunteer/board member
These funds are provided by Truliant Federal Credit Union in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and is awarded to one student annually.
General Fund Scholarships
These funds are provided by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. Scholarships are available to members of any credit union in North and South Carolina. Both academic and needs-based scholarships for all levels of higher education are awarded, including technical and community college scholarships.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please email [email protected].
How to Apply for a Scholarship
To apply, students need to use the online portal managed by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation manages all notifications relating to the Truliant Scholarship program.
The 2025-2026 application period begins October 1, 2025. Click here to apply.
To learn more about the Scholarship application process, and to view a video showing how to complete the application, click HERE.
Application Evaluation Criteria
Applicants are evaluated by the Foundation's Scholarship Selection Committee based on the following criteria:
Demonstrated Academic Ability - Applicants should provide school transcripts. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required to be eligible for scholarship funding
Demonstrated Writing Ability – Applicants must submit an essay on the topic listed in the application
School Activities – Applicants should list all school activities and explain which activity is most important and why
Community Activities – Applicants should list all community activities unrelated to school and explain which activity is most important, and why. This includes any work history, apprenticeship program or internship that may be applicable
April 2026 – All applicants will be notified via email of their status
May 2026 – All winners are confirmed through the online portal using the online verification form
July 2026 – Funds are distributed to the college, university, or community college on behalf of the Truliant Foundation
About the Truliant Scholarship Program
Established in 1996, the Truliant Foundation’s Scholarship program has awarded more than $265,000 to more than 250 high school seniors (and Truliant members) pursuing a college degree.
The 2025-2026 application period begins October 1, 2025. Click here to apply.
Enjoy a full suite of everyday benefits designed to protect your wallet, your time, and your peace of mind — all part of this powerful package.
Unexpected perks — A $90 per month value if purchased separately:
Lifestyle Protection and Savings
Cell phone protection coverage
24/7 roadside assistance
Buyer protection and extended warranties
Telehealth for your family
Save on healthcare (prescription, vision and dental discounts)
Travel and leisure discounts
Shopping perks (receive cash back or use for purchases)
Or call the Benefits Service Center at 866-298-3686, Mon – Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET for assistance with registration and activation.
Money Access and Everyday Banking Perks:
Free standard Truliant checks
Free official checks
Free incoming wire transfers
One-time overdraft fee waiver (per calendar year)
Early Pay — Get your paycheck up to 2 days early
Surcharge-free ATMs — Access to 80,000 ATMs worldwide that waive their fees for our members
Free ATM withdrawals, even outside Truliant
We are proud to offer fewer fees at a lower cost compared to many other financial institutions. Below are our current fees for Reserve Plus Banking:
General Charges
Fee Type
Fee Amount
Monthly maintenance
$25.00
Waived with any of the following:
1) Average Monthly Deposit Relationship ≥ $25,000, or
2) Average Monthly Truliant Financial Advisors Investment ≥ $50,000
Order checks
Standard Truliant Checks are free
Wire transfer (outgoing)
$25.00 Domestic, $35.00 International (incoming wires are free)
Overdraft Charges
Fee Type
Fee Amount
Balance Backup* and Balance Backup+** overdraft protection
$28.00/transaction (limit of six service charges per day) - 1 fee waiver per calendar year
Deposit account overdraft protection transfer service charge
$3.00 (limit once daily)
Line of credit overdraft protection transfer service charge
$3.00 (limit once daily)
*Balance Backup service charge occurs anytime we cover overdrafts caused by check, recurring transaction, or other transaction made using checking account or debit card number.
**Balance Backup+ service charge occurs anytime we cover overdrafts caused by debit card or ATM transactions.
For a comprehensive listing of account-related fees, special service fees, and additional details, log in to online or mobile banking to view our Deposit Account Agreement or Business Deposit Account Agreement.
Receive one free overdraft per calendar year by contacting us or visiting a branch. Normal fee of $28 per overdraft applies for all other overdrafts.
Access to more than 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs. A surcharge-free ATM is one you can use without paying an extra fee charged by the ATM owner. Truliant partners with a nationwide network of ATMs that let you withdraw cash, check balances, and more—without those added fees.
Even if the ATM isn’t Truliant-branded, it can still be surcharge-free if it’s part of our network.
Use the ATM locator to find the most convenient locations near you.
Our Balance Backup coverage offers members emergency overdraft protection, allowing important items to clear and helping you avoid returned payment fees from payees.
Truliant will strive to pay the following types of transactions when you do not have funds available.
Checks and other transactions made using your checking account number
Automatic recurring drafts made using your debit card number
We also offer Balance Backup+ for the following types of transactions when insufficient funds exist in your account:
We are proud to offer fewer fees at a lower cost compared to many other financial institutions. Below are our current fees for SafeSpend Banking:
General Charges
Fee Type
Fee Amount
Monthly maintenance
$5.00
Waived with any of the following:
1) Monthly Total Deposits ≥ $250, or
2) 23 or younger
Official check, payable to third party
$5.00/check
Wire transfer (incoming)
$10.00 (Domestic / International)
Wire transfer (outgoing)
$25.00 (Domestic) $35.00 (International)
For a comprehensive listing of account-related fees, special service fees, and additional details, log in to online or mobile banking to view our Deposit Account Agreement or Business Deposit Account Agreement.
Non-Sufficient Funds occur when there isn’t enough money in your account to complete a payment. If this happens, we’ll simply reject the payment — and we won’t charge you a fee.
Truliant's Early Pay program lets you access your money up to two days before your payday on Automated Clearing House (ACH) direct deposits. You don't need to sign up or opt-in: Early Pay is a free and automatic service we provide to our members. See more details here.
Acceptable forms of identification:
Driver’s license (state or U.S. territory issued)
Driver’s license learner permit (state or U.S. territory issued)
Or call the Benefits Service Center at 866-298-3686, Mon – Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET for assistance with registration and activation.
Money Access and Everyday Banking Perks:
One-time overdraft fee waiver (per calendar year)
Early Pay — Get your paycheck up to 2 days early
Low-cost standard Truliant checks — Only $10 per order
Surcharge-free ATMs — Access to 80,000 ATMs worldwide that waive their fees for our members
Free ATM withdrawals, even outside Truliant
We are proud to offer fewer fees at a lower cost compared to many other financial institutions. Below are our current fees for Essentials Plus Banking:
General Charges
Fee Type
Fee Amount
Monthly maintenance
$7.50
Waived with any of the following:
1) Monthly Direct Deposit ≥ $500, or
2) Average Monthly Checking Balance ≥ $1,500, or
3) Average Monthly Deposit Relationship ≥ $5,000
Order checks
Standard Truliant Checks = $10.00
Official check, payable to third party
$5.00/check
Wire transfer (incoming)
$10.00 Domestic or International
Wire transfer (outgoing)
$25.00 Domestic, $35.00 International
Overdraft Charges
Fee Type
Fee Amount
Balance Backup* and Balance Backup+** overdraft protection
$28.00/transaction (limit of six service charges per day) - 1 fee waiver per calendar year
Deposit account overdraft protection transfer service charge
$3.00 (limit once daily)
Line of credit overdraft protection transfer service charge
$3.00 (limit once daily)
*Balance Backup service charge occurs anytime we cover overdrafts caused by check, recurring transaction, or other transaction made using checking account or debit card number.
**Balance Backup+ service charge occurs anytime we cover overdrafts caused by debit card or ATM transactions.
For a comprehensive listing of account-related fees, special service fees, and additional details, log in to online or mobile banking to view our Deposit Account Agreement or Business Deposit Account Agreement.
