ORLANDO, FL — VyStar Credit Union is proud to open doors to higher education for four outstanding Florida students, awarding two-year scholarships through the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program as part of our ongoing commitment to expanding access to education and opportunity.
This life-changing opportunity, made possible in partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF) and the Florida Chamber Foundation, helps break the cycle of poverty by providing students in Florida’s most under-resourced communities with a pathway to academic and personal success. VyStar’s support of the Path to Prosperity Program reflects its deep commitment to advancing financial well-being and creating brighter futures for students, families, and communities.
“Investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways we can support long-term financial well-being,” said VyStar SVP/Foundation President Patricia McElroy. “We are proud to partner with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Chamber Foundation to help these students unlock new possibilities and pursue their goals with confidence.”
Meet the 2026 VyStar Path to Prosperity Scholars:
- Kei’Aunna Broxton, Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, FL
- Xavier Johnson, Eastside High School, Gainesville, Florida
- Deborah Lewis, Jones High School, Orlando, Florida
- Kynnedi Williams, Jones High School, Orlando, Florida
The student recipients were selected through a collaborative effort involving the FPCF, the Education Foundation for Alachua County, Jones High School and Boys and Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler. Each student has shown resilience, academic achievement and a commitment to staying crime-free and drug-free while excelling academically amidst significant life challenges.
The Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program was built with the goal of fighting childhood poverty by providing a path to higher education. With over 700,000 children living in poverty in Florida, many in just 15% of the state’s zip codes; initiatives like the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program are essential. They offer hope and a real opportunity for students to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
The Path to Prosperity Scholarship covers 60 college credit hours at a Florida public college or university, or equivalent technical or vocational training. Through a dollar-for-dollar match from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, the program doubles the impact of every scholarship awarded.
“These scholarships represent more than financial support - they represent a pathway forward for students who have worked hard to overcome real challenges,” said Florida Prepaid College Foundation Director Cynthia O’Connell. “Through partnerships like this with VyStar, we’re able to expand opportunity, open doors to higher education, and help students build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.”
Learn more about the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation at www.
To learn more about VyStar, please visit vystarcu.org
###
About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, more than 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, as well as past and present military members and their families all over the world. Members benefit from convenient access to over 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. VyStar has earned national recognition from Time Magazine, Fortune, USA Today and Forbes for excellence in financial services, innovation and customer service, reflecting its commitment to delivering value and exceptional experiences to members. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.
About the Florida Prepaid College Foundation
Since its founding in 1990, the Foundation has committed to giving aspiring students the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and our state by providing college scholarships funded through partnerships with individuals, businesses, educational foundations, and the Florida Legislature. The Foundation administers several innovative scholarship programs, including Project STARS and the new Challenge Match Scholarship Programs, designed to help students achieve their dream of earning a college education. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 60,000 Florida Prepaid College Plan scholarships, and more than 37,500 Foundation scholarship recipients have gone to college using their benefits. The Foundation is the 501(c)(3) direct support organization for the Florida Prepaid College Board. To learn more about the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, visit here.
Vystar Credit Union
-
Carlo Fassi Vice President of Government Affairs
- July 01, 2026
- (954) 625-9176
- Send Email
