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Debt, meet your match.
Join UCU's Project Paydown and build better habits with support, tips, and a chance at $2,500.*
Join Project Paydown.
This is your chance to win $2,500 towards your UCU-held debt.
Sign up for Project Paydown to begin receiving our handy guides on debt management. Then, complete the three required tasks and you could win one of two $2,500 grand prizes! As an additional bonus, you'll be entered into our $50 CashBack+ gift card drawing1 each month that you're registered.
Commit to your goals
Complete the three required debt-reduction tasks, and you'll be entered to win our grand prize drawing of $2,500! Be sure to use the contact info you have on your UCU account so our team can easily match and verify your progress.
Your path to financial wellness.
Reduce debt, improve financial habits, and gain momentum in your journey.
Our goal is for you to take small steps and generate good financial habits through action and monthly educational touchpoints. Complete these tasks and submit your completion form no later than December 31, 2026 and get entered in a drawing for a $2,500 debt relief grand prize. One grand prize will be awarded on October 14, 2026 and another grand prize will be awarded on January 15, 2027.
Meet with a financial counselor
Book a virtual call or in-person appointment with a UCU certified financial counselor to discuss debt relief strategies.
Meet with a financial counselor
Reduce your debt by $500
Tackle your UCU-held debt and make progress with reduction. We're here to help you! Check out our debt and loan relief resources to see how you can support yourself.
Reduce your debt by $500
Set up automatic loan payments
Get an easy win with automatic payments. Set your payment amount in your digital banking account.
Set up automatic loan payments
Experiencing financial difficulty with a loan?
We'll help you get current on your loan so you can participate in Project Paydown.
Call us directly at 800.UCU.4510 to discuss options to manage your delinquent payments. Get current by September 30, 2026, and you'll be eligible to participate in Project Paydown.
Completed all the required tasks?
Great! Follow the link below to submit your confirmation to our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Project Paydown?
Project Paydown is a financial support program from University Credit Union designed to help you reduce your debt, build better financial habits, and stay motivated with monthly resources and rewards.
- Is there any cost to participate?
No. Project Paydown is a free member benefit focused on financial wellness and support.
- What do I get when I register?
You’ll receive a monthly newsletter with financial tips, reminders, and resources to help you stay on track, plus automatic eligibility for our monthly $50 gift card drawings.
- How do the monthly gift card drawings work?
Each month from July through November 2026, one registered participant will be randomly selected to win a $50 CashBack+ gift card. If you’re registered, you’re automatically entered. CashBack+ is UCU’s digital gift card marketplace, where you can choose a digital gift card from a wide selection of top brands.
- How do I qualify for the $2,500 grand prize?
To be entered into the $2,500 drawing, you’ll complete three debt‑reducing tasks and submit a completion form by December 31, 2026. Once your tasks are verified, you’re automatically entered. If at any point during the program duration a loan payment is missed, you will be ineligible for the grand prize drawing.
- When will the grand prize drawings take place?
There will be two $2,500 grand prize drawings during the program. The first drawing will take place within 10 business days after the first entry period closes (July 1–September 30). The second drawing will take place within 10 business days after the second entry period closes (October 1–December 31). All unselected entries from the first period will rollover and be eligible for the second period drawing.
- What kind of support will I receive during the program?
You’ll receive a monthly newsletter with financial tips, reminders, and resources to help you stay on track that make progress feel manageable. You will also be able to meet with one of our Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors to discuss debt relief and financial management strategies.
- Do I have to complete everything right away?
No, you can complete the required tasks at your own pace anytime between your registration date and December 31, 2026.
- How will I know if I’ve won a prize?
Winners will be contacted directly by UCU via email.
- What happens after I submit my completion form?
Your information will be reviewed and verified by UCU staff. Once approved, you’ll be officially entered into the $2,500 drawing.
- What happens if I miss a payment?
If at any point during the program duration a loan payment is missed, you will be ineligible for the grand prize drawing.
- How do I register for the program?
Submit the interest form above on this page. Once you have completed the three required tasks for Project Paydown, you'll let our team know here and you will be entered in the grand prize drawing. Click here to read the full sweepstakes rules.
- What do I need to complete to be eligible?
Complete the form above to enroll in the program.
Next, complete the three main tasks:
- Meet with a financial counselor: Book a virtual call or in-person appointment with a UCU certified financial counselor to discuss debt relief strategies.
- Reduce your debt by $500: Tackle your UCU-held debt and make progress with reduction. We're here to help you! Check out our debt and loan relief resources to see how you can support yourself.
- Set up automatic loan payments: Get an easy win with automatic payments. Set your payment amount in your digital banking account.
After completing the required tasks, enter your info on this completion page to let our team know. We'll review your actions and add you into the grand prize drawing.
- What are the prizes?
If you complete the three required debt-reduction tasks, you'll be entered to win our grand prize drawing of $2,500. As a bonus for signing up, you'll be entered into our $50 CashBack+ gift card drawing each month that you're registered.
- I'm not current on my loan, can I still participate?
Yes! We'll help you get current on your loan so you can participate in Project Paydown. Call us directly at 800.UCU.4510 to discuss options to manage your delinquent payments. Get current by September 30, 2026, and you'll be eligible to participate in Project Paydown.
*Terms and conditions apply. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Limit one entry per eligible participant. Project Paydown runs from July 1, 2026 at 12:00 am PST through December 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST. Two (2) $2,500 grand prize winners will be selected during the campaign period. Entries from the first drawing phase will roll over into the second if not selected. Winners will be contacted using the information associated with their University Credit Union account. Open to legal U.S. residents age 18 or older. Participants must be a University Credit Union loan member, and have successfully completed the three tasks specified by University Credit Union to be eligible. Grand prize funds will be applied directly to the winner’s University Credit Union loan balance. Void where prohibited by law.
1Terms and conditions apply. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Limit one entry per eligible participant per month. Monthly drawings run from July 1, 2026 at 12:00 am PST through December 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST. One winner will be selected each month to receive a $50 CashBack+ digital gift card. Winners will be contacted using the information associated with their University Credit Union account. Open to legal U.S. residents age 18 or older. Participants must be registered for Project Paydown to be eligible. Monthly drawings are separate from the Project Paydown grand prize giveaway. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Loan membership is not required to enter; a mail-in method of entry is available. Participation in Project Paydown or completion of program tasks does not increase odds of winning.
Gift cards subject to issuer terms. Winners are responsible for applicable taxes. Void where prohibited by law. Click here for Official Rules for full details, entry methods, deadlines, and restrictions.