Union-based scholarships provide security, big bucks
By DEBORAH A. MILES
There are some scholarship scams on the Internet, so selecting an online scholarship program may be a caveat emptor type of situation. If you go to a Web site that offers a scholarship that’s too good to be true, it usually is. And if you have to pay money to get money, it’s probably a scam.
But you can feel safe when applying for a union-based scholarship.
Being a PEF member makes your dependents eligible for these programs. Today, it’s easier than ever to apply with applications just a click away.
Competition is stiff, so your child must earn high grades to get a top-dollar scholarship. And remember to meet the application deadline in order to qualify.
Following are some of the best scholarships available to union members.
Scacalossi Scholarships
PEF’s Joseph Scacalossi scholarships began in 1988, named after this union activist who was a council leader at the state Department of Labor in New York City and always fought tooth-and-nail for his members.
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. Preliminary applications are due no later than March 17, 2006. For your convenience, the form is included
here.
Upon approval of your preliminary application, the PEF Scholarship Committee will mail you a final application. Complete and return the final application before April 28.
NYS AFL-CIO
PEF members with a high school senior who was accepted at any New York state college can apply for a state AFL-CIO scholarship. The AFL-CIO offers one $8,000 scholarship paid over four years.
Along with the application, students must provide two letters of recommendation from teachers, guidance counselors or school administrators.
Details are available online at www.aflcio.org.
To request an application, write to Gary Duesberg, Education Director, New York State AFL-CIO, 100 South Swan Street, Albany, NY 12210-1939 or call him at (518) 436-8516 ext. 244.
Submit the completed application by May 15.
Union Plus
The 2006 application for the Union Plus Scholarship Program is available and must be completed and postmarked by January 31. This is one of the largest scholarship programs available. It began in 1992, and has awarded more than $2 million to students of working families. The students selected for university, college, trade school or technical scholarships represent a wide sampling of backgrounds, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments.
This year, $150,000 was awarded to 120 students representing AFL-CIO unions.
This is a one-time cash award sent to individual winners for undergraduate study beginning in the fall of the same year. The amount of the award ranges from $500 to $4,000.
For an application, eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria, visit
www.unionprivilege.org/benefits/education/scholarships/up.cf.
AFT
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Robert G. Porter Scholarship Program offers four four-year, $8,000 post-secondary scholarships to students who are dependents of AFT members, as well as 10 one-time $1,000 grants to AFT members to assist with their continuing education.
Students applying for a Porter scholarship must be pursuing a career in labor, education, health care or government service. They must submit an essay as part of their application. This year, the topic is “Child Labor: A Global Shame.” Applicants must also provide two letters of recommendation and have an excellent academic record.
Applications are available online at www.aft.org
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
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Jesse Jackson Scholarship program offers a yearly grant of up to $5,000 that can be renewed annually for a maximum of four consecutive years.
PEF and SEIU members, in good standing for at least one year, and their children are eligible. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college. Graduate students are not eligible.
Students must pursue an interest in social change and activism beyond their college education, such as working for a union.
To apply, 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 (615) 320-3149.
This year, you can get an application online by going to www.SEIU.org, click on resources, then scholarships. The online application will be available staring December 1 and must be submitted before March 1.
HESC
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is also an excellent source to learn about financial aid. PEF members who live or work in the New York City area might be interested in the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship. It was created to provide college scholarships to family members and dependents of those killed or seriously disabled in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks or rescue and recovery operation.
For complete details and an application, go to www.hesc.com.
And, check with your PEF council leader and the guidance office at your child’s school for information on local scholarships and loans.
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