Five students have been chosen to receive college scholarships from Benchmark Federal Credit Union, which awards $15,000 annually to local students.

The high school students from the Class of 2018 to each receive $4,000 scholarships are:

• James Armstrong – Graduated from Downingtown STEM Academy and is attending The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
• Ashlynn Lennon – Graduated from Twin Valley and is attending Saint Francis University
• Sydney Zeigler – Graduated from Spring-Ford and is attending Kutztown University

The current college students to each receive $1,500 scholarships are:

• Samantha Ferguson – Attends Millersville University after graduating from Coatesville High School
• Katherine Giordano – Attends Princeton University after graduating from Gill St. Bernard’s School in Gladstone, N.J.

All scholarship applicants wrote essays on an experience from their life and how it has influenced their financial development/well-being. The essays were then judged by an independent panel of community and education leaders.

“For almost a decade, we have been thrilled to present scholarship checks to students across the region as they pursue their dreams,” said David LaSala, Benchmark President and CEO. “Benchmark is committed to supporting financial success strategies throughout our Chester County community.”