The $25.3 billion, 1.8 million-member State Employees' Credit Union said Wednesday it helped 6,500 high school seniors complete and submit more than 8,800 online applications to North Carolina colleges and universities during College Application Week.

About 160 SECU employees from 81 branches volunteered at local schools in November during the week-long event sponsored by the College Foundation of North Carolina and the Carolinas Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, the big credit union said.

SECU began helping with College Application Week in 2009 and said this year's event drew 2,800 more students than last year at high schools where SECU staff participated.

“Completing a college application can be intimidating – helping seniors work through the process is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for our employees,” said Krista Loew, SECU vice president of IRA services and CAW coordinator.

SECU also participates each February in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Day with CFNC and the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Association, the credit union said.