ChoiceOne Bank Now Accepting Annual Scholarship Applications

Rhea-AI Summary

ChoiceOne Bank (NASDAQ: COFS) opened applications for its annual ChoiceOne Scholarship Program on January 27, 2026. The bank will award $1,000 scholarships to 19 students from communities it serves across West, Central and Southeast Michigan to support graduating high school seniors, GED recipients, and home‑schooled students who plan to attend an accredited Michigan college in fall 2026. Applications are accepted from January 5 to March 8, 2026. Candidates must submit transcripts/GED documentation and a 500‑word essay describing a community service experience. ChoiceOne will pay scholarships directly to the students' colleges; employee family members are eligible and one additional employee‑family recipient will be chosen.

Key Figures

Scholarship amount per student: $1,000 Community scholarships: 19 students Community awards cohort: 18 students +5 more

8 metrics

Scholarship amount per student $1,000 Annual ChoiceOne Scholarship Program awards to selected students

Community scholarships 19 students Students from local Michigan communities served by ChoiceOne Bank

Community awards cohort 18 students Each of 18 students receives $1,000 for first year of college

Employee family award $1,000 One additional scholarship for a family member of an employee

Application window start January 5 Scholarship applications accepted from January 5

Application window end March 8 Scholarship applications due by March 8

Essay length limit 500 words Essay on what community service means personally

Current price $28.94 Pre-news trading level with 24h change of 0.35%

Market Reality Check

Price: $28.94 Vol: Volume 81,081 is essentia...

normal vol

$28.94 Last Close

Volume Volume 81,081 is essentially in line with the 20-day average of 81,285. normal

Technical Trading slightly below the 200-day MA of 29.30, at 28.94.

Peers on Argus

COFS gained 0.35% while peers were mixed: ACNB -1.33%, BSVN -0.50%, NFBK +0.34%,...

COFS gained 0.35% while peers were mixed: ACNB -1.33%, BSVN -0.50%, NFBK +0.34%, AROW +0.03%, FBIZ flat. Moves do not suggest a coordinated sector trend.

Historical Context

2 past events · Latest: Jan 22 (Positive)

Pattern 2 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 22	Community grant partnership	Positive	+0.7%	Awarded $1M AHP grant to expand sober living housing capacity.
Oct 24	Q3 2025 earnings	Positive	+11.5%	Reported higher Q3 net income and growth after Fentura merger.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive corporate and community-focused news items have been followed by positive 24-hour price reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, COFS news has centered on both financial performance and community impact. On Oct 24, 2025, Q3 2025 results highlighted higher net income and balance sheet growth after the Fentura merger, with the stock up 11.52% over 24 hours. On Jan 22, 2026, a $1 million grant partnership to support affordable housing preceded a 0.65% gain. Today’s scholarship announcement continues this community investment narrative alongside prior solid financial disclosure.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details ChoiceOne’s plan to award $1,000 scholarships to 19 students across its Mi...

Analysis

This announcement details ChoiceOne’s plan to award $1,000 scholarships to 19 students across its Michigan communities, continuing a long-running focus on local engagement. It follows other community and financial milestones, including a recent $1 million housing grant partnership and strong Q3 2025 earnings. Investors monitoring COFS may watch how such community initiatives complement fundamentals like net income trends, balance sheet growth, and future regulatory filings.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SPARTA, Mich., Jan. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ChoiceOne Bank (NASDAQ: COFS) ("ChoiceOne") is excited to announce that applications are now open for the annual ChoiceOne Scholarship Program. The scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who are in pursuit of a higher education. ChoiceOne will award $1,000 scholarships to 19 students from the local communities the Bank serves across Michigan.

"We're always striving to find ways to help in our communities, because it's part of our bank's DNA" said ChoiceOne Bank President Michael J. Burke, Jr. "The cost to attend college is so high, we know that helping students in our communities who want to continue their education after high school is crucial. We're proud to continue to provide scholarships, as we have for many years, to try to lighten the financial burden. An investment in the future leaders of our communities is the right thing to do."

Who Can Participate
ChoiceOne created this Scholarship Program to encourage and reward graduating seniors who will attend an accredited Michigan college in the fall of 2026 to obtain a certificate, associates, or bachelor's degree. Eligible candidates include graduating high school seniors, GED recipients, and home school students with documentation of high school equivalency and college eligibility in this calendar year. Candidates are selected from the communities ChoiceOne Bank serves across West, Central and Southeast Michigan

Each of the 18 students selected will receive $1,000 for their first year of college. Additionally, family of ChoiceOne Bank's employees are eligible to apply, and one selected student will also receive $1,000. ChoiceOne Bank will pay the scholarships directly to the student's college of choice.

Scholarship Requirements 
The ChoiceOne Bank Scholarship Program is accepting applications from January 5 to March 8. To apply, students are required to write an essay about what community service means to them personally. In 500 words or less, students are asked to describe one of their community service experiences, why they became involved in the community service, who benefited from the service and what personal accomplishments they gained from helping in their community. Students must submit their application and supporting documents such as their completed online application, their high school/home school transcripts, or GED documentation, by the deadline date. See choiceone.bank/scholarship to complete the Scholarship Application.

About ChoiceOne
ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, with assets of approximately $4.3 billion, and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank. Member FDIC. ChoiceOne Bank operates 54 offices in West, Central and Southeast Michigan. ChoiceOne Bank offers insurance and investment products through its subsidiary, ChoiceOne Insurance Agencies, Inc. ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "COFS." For more information, please visit Investor Relations at ChoiceOne's website choiceone.bank.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/choiceone-bank-now-accepting-annual-scholarship-applications-302670825.html

SOURCE ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc.

FAQ

How many scholarships is ChoiceOne Bank (COFS) awarding in 2026?

ChoiceOne Bank is awarding $1,000 scholarships to 19 students from its local Michigan communities.

What are the application dates for the ChoiceOne Bank (COFS) scholarship in 2026?

Applications are open from January 5 to March 8, 2026.

Who is eligible for the ChoiceOne Bank (COFS) 2026 scholarship?

Eligible applicants are graduating high school seniors, GED recipients, and home‑schooled students who will attend an accredited Michigan college in fall 2026.

What essay and documentation does ChoiceOne Bank (COFS) require for the scholarship?

Applicants must submit a 500‑word essay about a community service experience plus transcripts or GED/home‑school equivalency documentation.

How will ChoiceOne Bank (COFS) deliver scholarship funds to winners?

ChoiceOne Bank will pay the $1,000 scholarship directly to the student's college of choice for the first year.

Can family members of ChoiceOne Bank (COFS) employees apply for the scholarship?

Yes; family members of ChoiceOne employees are eligible and one selected student from that group will receive a $1,000 scholarship.