SCHOLARSHIPS
This page
will be filled with information for your college-bound student. January is
the time to investigate the many scholarships and loans available to children of
union members.
To view a copy of the "Student Financial Aid Booklet", please click on the picture:
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Scholarships for 2012
Good
grades can reap great rewards.
Students of working families are eligible for various union-sponsored
scholarships. Members can look into these programs and apply for wonderful
opportunities that make continuing education more affordable.
Do
the Homework
Take a moment to find the scholarships that target your needs. Here are some
great sources:
PEF Scacalossi Scholarship
2011
Since 1988, PEF has
helped its members lighten the financial load of college tuition by giving more
than $820,000 to students through the Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship Program.
The scholarship is named for a PEF council leader at the state Department of
Labor who helped found the union and fought hard for his members. In his memory,
every year 10 students are each awarded $1,000 annually for four years. The
student must be a child, stepchild or ward of any active, retired or deceased
PEF member, and a high school senior or college freshman.
PEF Region 2 Coordinator Bonnie Wood, who chairs the PEF Scholarship Committee,
said students must first submit a preliminary application for 2011 by either
filling out the paper mail-in form below, or completing an online form on the
PEF website, found under scholarships.
It is due March 18.
After the preliminary application is approved, a final one will be mailed to the
student and must be completed and returned to PEF headquarters by April 29.
Other members of the scholarship committee include Debi Chowdhury, Maureen Hogle
and Evarist Nicholas. It is staffed by Joanne Wright.
Along with the Scacalossi Scholarship, PEF members and their children may apply
for a variety of labor scholarships.
The preliminary application must be received not later than March 18, 2011. It should be sent to:
PEF Scholarship Program
1168-70 Troy Schenectady Road
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, NY 12212-2414
You may download the application by clicking below:
Download
the Preliminary 2012 Scacalossi Scholarship Application Here
To view the "PEF Scacalossi Application", you must have Adobe Reader. If you do not, please click below to download Adobe Reader for "FREE"
Upon approval of your preliminary application, the PEF
Scholarship Committee will mail you a final application.
American
Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) scholarship program offers 10 one-time
$1,000 grants to PEF and other AFT members. It also offers a four-year $8,000
Robert G. Porter Scholarship to help with education costs.
The scholarships are solely merit-based, centering on academic excellence.
Volunteerism and activism at your school boosts your chances to win one of
these. Students applying for a Porter scholarship must be pursuing a career in
labor, education, health care or government service. The application requires an
essay to be attached, and two letters of recommendation.
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 Avenue, Washington DC 20001. Applications must be
submitted by March 31.
Service Employees International Union
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) offers PEF members five
different scholarship programs.
Annually, SEIU offers 48 lottery scholarships in the amounts of $1,000,
renewable for up to four years, and $1,500 as one-time grants. All applicants
must read the SEIU annual report, available at www.seiu.org, and then correctly
answer all the questions on the SEIU scholarship program application form in
order to qualify for a lottery-drawing selection process.
SEIU offers a $5,000 Jesse Jackson Scholarship, renewable for up to four years,
to a student whose work and aspirations for economic and social justice reflect
the values and accomplishments of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The Moe Foner Scholarship is a $5,000 nonrenewable scholarship available to
students who are pursuing a degree or training in the visual or performing arts,
and who believe the arts are a vehicle to advance social change.
Foner founded the SEIU 1199 Bread and Roses Cultural Project and tapped into New
York’s thriving artistic community while helping to make 1199 the most
recognizable union in the nation.
Applicants for the Foner scholarship must submit an essay, not to exceed 200
words, describing what the labor movement has meant to them and their families.
Another $5,000 scholarship to be expended over 24 months is the John Geagan
Scholarship. It was created mainly for adults who have been in the work force
and have decided to return to college to pursue a degree in labor studies.
The Nora Piore Scholarship is offered to SEIU members and their children who
plan health care careers. It is a $4,375 scholarship renewable for up to four
years.
You can visit the SEIU website for more information. To apply, request the
specific program by writing to Scholarship Programs Administrators Inc. (SPA) PO
Box 23737, Nashville, TN 37202-3737 or call (615) 320-3149.
Applications for the SEIU scholarship programs must be submitted by March 1.
Union Plus
If you’re interested in a 2011 Union Plus Scholarship, you must apply by
January 31.
This scholarship program provides $150,000 in scholarships to union members,
their spouses and dependents. You do not need to participate in a Union Plus
program to be eligible.
Applicants are required to demonstrate their academic ability, submit essays of
no more than 500 words describing career goals, detailing their relationships
with the union movement, and explaining why they are deserving of a union
scholarship.
Make sure to include a sealed letter of recommendation. If you don’t follow
the checklist, you may be eliminated, even if you are a straight-A student.
You must be accepted into an accredited college or university, community college
or recognized technical or trade school at the time the award is issued.
Graduate school students also are eligible for Union Plus Scholarships.
To download the application, visit UnionPlus.org/scholarships. Or, send a
postcard with your name, return address, telephone number and international
union to: Union Plus Education Foundation, c/o Union Privilege, PO Box 34800,
Washington DC 20043-4800.
Higher Education Services Corp
The state Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) provides free information
about financial aid for New Yorkers. It administers the Tuition Assistance
Program (TAP) and a highly successful college savings program for students and
families.
HESC publications and fact sheets, plus information on scholarships, awards,
grants and loans are available online at www.hesc.com or call (888) 697-4372 or
(518) 473-1547.
Schools and PEF Divisions
Guidance counselors at your child’s school are a good source for learning
about financial aid workshops that are traditionally held throughout the state
in January.
And, don’t forget to check with your PEF division leader and regional
coordinator to learn about other PEF scholarships available to members in your
area.
Which One Is Best?
There are a lot of financing options out there for students. Find the one that works best within your means. Call 1-877-881-1022 to speak with an experienced financial aid counselor.
Union Privilege and the American Education Services (AES) have joined forces to
provide educational assistance to union members and their families. The Union
Plus Education Loan program offers financing for a range of education and
training needs - customized to meet the needs of today's working families.
You'll also receive a $50 Powell's Bookstore gift card if you obtain a
Union Plus Education Gain Loan (this is the private loan product).
Check out these financing resources:
College
Loans -
Click here
Available to students attending accredited colleges
and universities (at least part-time). These loans - including Stafford, PLUS
and Signature loans - help working families pay for college tuition, books,
fees, computers and other education-related expenses.
Consolidation Loans - Click here
Simplify and save by bundling all your federal loans into a single loan.
Financial Aid Counseling
Call toll-free 1-877-881-1022 to speak
to a Union Plus Education Loan financial aid counselor. Our experts are on hand
to answer members' questions and guide them through the application process. Read
Financial Aid 101 here.
Student Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your starting point for applying to almost all student financial assistance programs. For example, you need to complete this free application to receive any federal student aid. Many schools also use the FAFSA as part of their application process for non-federal aid.
- Union Plus College Planner site has information on FAFSA here.
- The Department of Education's site explains the purpose of the FAFSA questions and how to complete a FAFSA form.
State Savings Plans (529
Plans)
More than likely, your state sponsors a college
savings plan. Each state determines the maximum amount you may contribute
annually per child. The advantage of state savings plans is that your savings
are not subject to state and local taxes and may grow faster than a taxable
investment. Learn
more about 529 plans, including a tool
to customize your comparison based on criteria that is important to you.