Michigan Business Beat | Shelia Scott, LAFCU, Pathway to Financial Transformation +

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Shelia Scott, Community Financial Education and Business Development Officer, LAFCU, Lansing, MI. RE: LAFCU's Pathway to Financial Transformation Graduation Ceremony, and an upcoming deadline. Q1: Welcome back Shelia, for those who aren’t familiar, what is the Pathway to Financial Transformation program, and who is it designed for? A: The Pathway to Financial Transformation program is LAFCU’s free, eight-month financial education program open to anyone—members or not. It’s an online class that meets every other week. We cover everything from budgeting and credit to long-term financial planning. It’s designed to be supportive, judgment-free, and accessible, whether someone is just starting out, trying to recover from setbacks, or planning for the future. Q2: You recently held a graduation ceremony for this year’s participants. Can you tell us more about that and what it meant to the graduates? A: Yes—we just celebrated our most recent group of graduates, and it was a truly inspiring event. The ceremony recognizes the commitment participants make over those eight months, and it's a moment to honor their growth and resilience. While this year’s group shared some amazing personal wins, we’ve also seen lasting impact from past graduates. Q3: From LAFCU’s perspective, why is this program such an important investment in the community—and what do you hope future participants walk away with? A: At LAFCU, we believe financial stability is foundational to personal and community well-being. This program reflects our commitment to making financial education accessible and impactful. Q4: When does the next Pathway to Financial Transformation program begin, and how can people get involved? A: Our fifth cohort starts in September, and registration opens in late August. It’s open to everyone—free and virtual—so I encourage anyone who’s even a little curious to check it out at LAFCU.com/pathway. We’d love to have you. RE: LAFCUs Innovation for Education Grant Q1: Can you tell us about the LAFCU Innovation for Education grant and why it was created? A: The LAFCU Innovation for Education grant—what we call the LIFE grant—was created to help a Michigan K-12 school add resources with a $10,000 boost. Now in its second year, the grant is all about supporting projects that make a real difference in the learning environment Q2: Why is it important for organizations like LAFCU to invest in education? A: At LAFCU, we believe strong schools build strong communities. That’s why we invest in education in numerous ways Q3: How can Michigan K-12 schools apply, and what should they know about the process? A: It’s a simple process. Teachers, administrators, PTO/PTAs, or councils and clubs can apply online at LAFCU.com/life by April 30. We ask for a short video—3 to 5 minutes— explaining their need and how they would use the funds. The deadline is coming up quickly! – April 30 – but it’s not too late. We are accepting entries from across Michigan, so please tell teachers and school administrators to enter and to share with us what their school needs to help inspire their students.