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Financial Literacy

Each One
Teach One
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OMISTA Credit Union Student Bursaries
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How we give back

The OMISTA Credit Union Bursary Program is designed to assist deserving students in need. Bursaries are awarded based on financial circumstances and leadership -  just in academics, but also in citizenship and volunteerism. Applications will be available in March 2025.

To be eligible for the OMISTA Credit Union Bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:  

Eligibility:

  • Student must be in full-time attendance at an accredited university, community college, or certified program in Canada as of September in the application year.
  • Student must be an OMISTA Credit Union customer, child of an OMISTA customer, or grandchild of an OMISTA customer as of the specified date on the application.
  • Student must display a need.
  • Student may be entering any year of study.
  • No age restriction
Atlantic Credit Unions Bursary Program 

Each year, Atlantic credit unions contribute $25,000 to fund bursaries at community colleges in Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island to ensure that students can access to quality education.

Building good financial skills can empower people in our communities to make the right financial decisions for themselves and their families. That’s why OMISTA Credit Union has joined other credit unions across the country to offer the Each One, Teach One Financial Literacy Program – a plain language approach to building basic financial knowledge.

How it works

Through the Each One, Teach One Program and with the help of community partners, credit union staff volunteer their time to deliver a series of free workshops – virtually or in-person – that cover basic financial topics ranging from Basic Budgeting, Building a Healthy Credit History, Home Readiness, and more. Workshops are offered at different times throughout the year with the sole goal of helping participants build financial knowledge in an approachable, easy-to-understand way.

Online Modules

In addition to guided sessions, Each One Teach One also offers free, online financial literacy modules that you can explore when and where you want. These self-directed courses provide a high-level introduction to some of the most popular topics covered in Each One, Teach One workshops. The online courses are also great for learning on a busy schedule, with each module taking around 30 minutes to fully complete. While these online courses won’t cover everything included in a full Each One, Teach One session, they can help you get started in building your financial knowledge.

Ready to explore the Each One, Teach One online modules? Select one of the available topics from the list below to begin learning.

  1. Introduction to Basic Banking
  2. Why Filing Taxes in Canada is a Good Idea
  3. Loans: Costs and Obligations
  4. Debt Smarts
  5. Building a Healthy Credit History

Want to learn more about the Each One, Teach One Program, including a full list of workshop topics, or to find out how to arrange an Each One, Teach One session? Email us at financialliteracy@omista.com.

Our vision is to prove that where you bank can change everything. We are the trusted and desired financial partner for our communities and local businesses. See what our staff are up to on the social impact platform Do Some Good.

Cooperatives around the world adhere to the same seven principles as defined by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). These principles serve as guidelines for cooperatives to put their values into practice. As principled businesses driven by people and not just profit, cooperatives work together to build a better world through co-operation.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.

3. Member Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

4. Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

5. Education, Training, and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for Community

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

 

OMISTA Credit Union Bursary Program

Empower Your Future. Supporting Our Students. Investing in Our Community.


Deadline 5:00 pm, Friday, May 9, 2025 

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Student Bursary Program Information

The 2025 OMISTA Student Bursary Program is designed to assist eligible students pursuing full-time post-secondary studies. With a commitment to fairness and support, we're awarding $1,000 bursaries to help you achieve your educational goals. Together, let's empower your future and strengthen our community!

Program Details (PDF)

Application Details:
  • Student must be in full-time attendance at an accredited university, community college, or certified program in Canada as of September in the application year.
  • Student must be an OMISTA Credit Union customer, child of an OMISTA customer, or grandchild of an OMISTA customer as of the specified date on the application.
  • Student must display a need.
  • Student may be entering any year of study.
  • No age restriction

You will be asked to provide the following information:

  • Confirmation of acceptance to a university or college, including the name, the course you plan to follow and your career objective.
  • A transcript of your marks for the last three years and name of your current school and their contact phone number.
  • A description of involvement or activities in which you participated in to help support any leadership qualities and contribution to your community while balancing your academic success.
  • An explanation of why you feel you should receive an OMISTA Credit Union Bursary and any supporting information to consider when reviewing your application.
  • A list of additional bursaries or scholarships you may receive to be included with your proposed budget for the upcoming academic year, detailing your funding sources and expected expenses.
  • References for three individuals whom OMISTA may contact. You may include teachers, employers, clergy, OMISTA Credit Union staff or directors, or other responsible persons. Do NOT include family members.
  • Since the OMISTA Credit Union Bursary is based on financial need, we will ask for the annual household income information for 2024. Mature students who have been out of high school for a minimum of four years may claim independent financial status.

We moved from Paper to Digital.

We chose to host our application on the Do Some Good platform because it offers a unique and effective way to showcase our commitment to community impact. This platform allows businesses and community organizations to manage and share their initiatives, including donations, volunteer engagement, and scholarship opportunities like the OMISTA Credit Union Bursary Program.

Here are some key reasons why using Do Some Good enhances our application experience:

  • Safety and Authenticity: Do Some Good prioritizes user safety by actively combating spam and ensuring that all submissions are authentic. This creates a secure environment for sharing personal information and application materials.
  • Time Efficiency: By creating an account, applicants benefit from auto-fill features that save time when completing forms. This means less hassle and more focus on sharing your story and needs.
  • Streamlined Communication: With the Do Some Good platform, applicants can easily check the status of their submissions. This system fosters effective communication between applicants and our organization, allowing for timely updates and follow-ups.
  • Building Connections: Creating an account helps us better understand our applicants. This connection allows us to cater our support to the specific needs of our community and fosters a sense of belonging for all involved.
  • Quick and Simple Setup: Sign-up is a breeze! It takes less than a minute to create an account, either through social media or by entering basic information. This simplicity encourages more individuals to participate in our programs.

By utilizing Do Some Good, we not only streamline our application process but also reinforce our commitment to transparency, community engagement, and support for our students. We believe this collaboration enhances the overall experience for everyone involved!

 
 

Need help with a community initiative?

We're always looking for opportunities to make great things happen in our community.
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Love for Local

We are proud to partner with and highlight extraordinary locally owned businesses in Altantic, Canada an initiative that highlights extraordinary locally-owned businesses in Atlantic Canada.

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Best in Customer Service Excellence for 20 consecutive years

Our member-first approach to banking is what makes us different. It’s also among the reasons we’ve been voted best in Canada for 20 years running.
 

Being a B Corp

B Corps are obligated to consider the impact of their decisions not only on shareholders but also on their workforce, the community, their suppliers, consumers, and the environment. This movement empowers the B Corp community to use business as a tool for social change.

Receiving the B Corp Certification confirms OMISTA’s purpose as a financial cooperative focused on doing business by Investing in Each Other. This means, by investing in our customers, our employees, and our communities.
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We think you will agree that business should have a higher social purpose beyond simply profit. For decades Credit Unions have been putting people before profits. OMISTA Credit Union is part of a global movement of business leaders who seek to redefine success in business, so that one day all companies compete not only to be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world.
  • Providing the most empowering advice and solutions you need to succeed
  • Making you our priority, because you’re a customer and an owner … your success is our success
  • Making decisions that impact you, right here in the markets where we all operate and live.
  • Providing a performance review process so employees know how their work contributes to OMISTA’s success
  • Aligning employees’ passions with their work as well as offering additional engagement opportunities
  • Creating a workplace culture that supports employee wellness and sustains work life balance.
  • Building stronger, healthier, financially wiser communities by working with organizations and on projects that have a significant, positive impact
  • Embracing a spirit of volunteerism through our employees as active participants and leaders supporting a wide-range of community organizations.
OMISTA has become a certified B Corporation, a standard that measures the company's entire social and environmental performance. " We were looking at how society as a whole is moving toward more of a grassroots approach, where people are very concerned about our planet."
CEO, Tammy Christopher

Legal Requirements

Do Some Good

We prove that where you bank can change everything. We are the trusted and desired financial partner for our communities and local businesses.
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