Applications available online now
Union scholarships ease cost of college

By DEBORAH A. MILES
After the holidays are history and people get back to business, one of the things on the top of your list should be to check out scholarships, if you have a son or daughter who is college-bound.

As a PEF member, you have the advantage of applying for union-based scholarships. Competition is usually pretty stiff, but if your child is selected, you could save thousands of dollars in tuition costs. Top students can qualify for as much as $1,000 to $5,000 per year.

With the Internet available to almost everyone, information and applications are available at the click of a mouse. And with scams happening online, you can feel safe when applying for a union-based scholarship.

The state Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) also provides free information about financial aid for New York residents. It administers the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and a highly successful college savings program for students and families. You can order free HESC publications and fact sheets, and get information on scholarships, awards, grants and loans online at www.hesc.org , or call 1-888-697-4372 or (518) 473-1574.

For local scholarships and loans, check with the guidance counselor at your child’s school for information on financial aid workshops that are traditionally held throughout the state during January. And when applying, don’t forget to meet the deadline.

Scacalossi Scholarship
Since its inception in 1988, PEF has made available $660,000 in scholarship opportunities through the Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship Fund. It is named for a PEF council leader at the state Department of Labor in New York City who fought for his members and helped organize PEF in its early years.

In his memory, PEF annually awards $1,000 a year for four years to 10 students. You must be the child, stepchild or ward of any active, retired or deceased PEF member to apply, and a high school senior or college freshman.

The application is here, click to download pdf. The preliminary application is due at PEF headquarters March 16. If approved, the PEF Scholarship Committee will send a final application, due April 27.

Members should also ask their division leaders about other PEF scholarships, such as the Neil Boyle Scholarship offered to children of PEF Division 236 members.

Union Plus Scholarship
The Union Plus scholarship is one of the largest available. It began in 1992 and has awarded more than $2 million to students of working families.

In 2006, for example, it awarded 100 students scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000. The awards are presented annually to union members or their family members who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.

The students selected for awards represent a wide sampling of demographics, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments. In addition to top grades, applicants must submit an essay of up to 500 words.

PEF members, their spouses and dependent children are among those eligible to apply. Individuals must be accepted into an accredited college or university, community college or recognized technical or trade school at the time the award is issued.

To obtain an application, go online to www.unionprivilege.org/benefits/education/scholarships . The application deadline is January 31, and the winners are notified and announced at the end of May.

AFT Scholarship
On the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Web site, www.aft.org , you’ll find the Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, which provides $8,000 over four years to college-bound graduating high school seniors who are dependents of PEF and other AFT members, as well as 10 one-time $1,000 grants to AFT members to assist with their continuing education.

This scholarship is solely merit-based, centering on academic excellence, volunteerism and activism in school and community programs.
Applications are available online or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, AFT, 555 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.

Completed applications must be postmarked by March 31 for consideration.

SEIU Scholarship
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) awards 51 scholarships each year, including the Jesse Jackson Scholarship Program, that are open to PEF members in good standing for at least one year.

The Jesse Jackson Scholarship offers a yearly grant of $5,000 renewable annually for a maximum of four consecutive years. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited two-or four-year college and show an interest in social and economic justice.

You must specifically request the Jesse Jackson Scholarship Program application by writing to Scholarship Programs Administrators Inc. (SPA), P.O. Box 23737, Nashville, TN. 37202-3737 or by calling 1-615-320-3149. Or you can apply online by visiting www.seiu.org and typing Jesse Jackson in the search box. The applications must be postmarked or electronically submitted before March 1.

SHIP grants available until April 1

Do you or your co-workers suffer from back problems from poorly arranged worksites? Or perhaps you’d like to launch a workplace violence prevention program at your agency.

Through the PS&T Contract, grants are available to agencies on a variety of topics, such as training in ergonomics, infection control and emergency preparedness through the Safety and Health Initiatives Program (SHIP).

“This program provides an excellent opportunity for our members to address health and safety issues important to them, and to get training and guidance on how to create a better working environment,” said Kathy D’Arminio, PEF statewide health and safety chair.

“PEF encourages multi-agency or statewide projects,” D’Arminio said. “A project may include employees of other bargaining units as long as PEF-represented employees benefit from it.”

D’Arminio is encouraging members to take advantage of the program while funding still exists. The current contract expires April 1, 2007 and there are no assurances money will be available for this program until a successor agreement is negotiated.

Applications for the SHIP grants are available on the PEF Web site, www.pef.org, by clicking on ‘Health and Safety.’ If you need assistance with your grant proposal, contact D’Arminio at 1-800-342-4306 ext. 252 or e-mail her at kdarminio@pef.org. — Deborah A. Miles

The Communicator Dec.06/Jan.07

Features
PEF activists help candidates win
Go Public: Facts vs. myths
DOT  hires more engineers...
Changes needed at OMH

Departments
President's Message
You Said It
Member Mobilization
Legislative Action
Point-Counterpoint
Retirees In Action
Getting To Know PEF
Member Highlights
Membership Benefits &Travel

Union Matters
Union scholarships here
PEF Trustees Report to the...
2007 Calendar
Notice to agency fee payers
2006 PEF Audit
2 E. Board vacancies filled
Bernard Fineson members...
PEF pr earns national awards

Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise with PEF
The Communicator Staff

Questions on this site?
Email the Webmaster

Clarification: A photo caption in the November issue of The Communicator should have said PEF Vice President Pat Baker and Regional Coordinators Dee Dodson, Vernetta Chesimard and Jemma Marie-Hanson coordinated the PEF Sept. 11 memorial service in New York City.