PEF REGION 5

SCHOLARSHIPS

January is Financial Aid Awareness Month

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:

Student Financial Aid Booklet

To read the "Student Financial Aid Booklet", you must have Adobe Reader.  If you do not, please click below to download Adobe Reader for "FREE"

Click here for Adobe Reader

Scholarships for 2008

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's Joseph Scacalossi scholarship began in 1988, named after this union activist who was a council leader at the state Department of Labor in NYC and always fought tooth-and-nail for his members.

In his memory, PEF annually awards 10 scholarships worth $1,000  a year for four years.  

To view the "PEF Scacalossi Application", you must have Adobe Reader.  If you do not, please click below to download Adobe Reader for "FREE"

Click here for Adobe Reader

The Jean DeBow Women in PEF Scholarship

The Jean DeBow Women in PEF Scholarship was created to honor the memory of our former Vice-President, Jean DeBow. There will be one scholarship award of $1,000, given annually at the PEF Convention, for an Active Female PEF Member, who is pursuing an accredited Post Secondary education in any field. 

Application details and instructions are available here. 

Completed applications are due at PEF headquarters by May 1, 2008. 

AFT Scholarship

	Details about the program and eligibility requirements
	FAQs
	2006 scholarship winners

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) scholarship program offers 48 scholarships yearly.  Checkout their website at http://www.seiu.org/mbe/scholarships for details on:

·          Fifteen $1,000 scholarships (renewable) are available in annual installments for up to four years

·          Thirty-three $1,500 scholarships (non-renewable) covering one year of study

·          Moe Foner Scholarship for Visual and Performing Arts for $5,000 awarded annually pursuing a degree or training full time in the visual or performing arts

·          Jesse Jackson Scholarship for $5,000 and renewable annually is given to a student whose work and aspirations for economic and social justice reflect the values and accomplishments of Rev. Jackson

·          Nora Piore Scholarship for up to four years currently set at $4,375  for SEIU health care members and their children who pursue education or training in health care or health care policy

·          John Geagan Scholarships two awarded annually for members, their children or local union staff who want to pursue a degree in labor studies.  The scholarships are for $5,000 each to be expended over a 24-month period.

Check back for the 2008 application

Union Plus Scholarship Program

Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1.8 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their secondary education. Over 1,100 families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.

Outstanding Scholarship Recipients
The program is open to members, spouses and dependent children of unions participating in any of the Union Plus programs.

The students selected for university, college, trade school or technical scholarships represent a wide sampling of backgrounds, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments.

Union Plus Scholarship Program Information:

APPLICATION DEADLINE:   January 31, 2008.

To view the "Union Plus Application", you must have Adobe Reader.  If you do not, please click below to download Adobe Reader for "FREE"

Click here for Adobe Reader

Eligibility for Scholarships: Members of unions participating in any Union Plus program, their spouses and their dependent children (foster children, step children, and any other child for whom the individual member provides greater than 50% of his or her support) can apply for a Union Plus Scholarship. (Participating union members from Puerto Rico, Canada, Guam and Virgin Islands and U.S. citizens are eligible.) Members do not have to purchase any Union Plus program product or participate in any Union Plus programs to apply for the scholarships and scholarship awards are not based upon participation in a Union Plus program.

The individual 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 students are not eligible.

Evaluation criteria: The scholarship program is open to students attending or planning to attend a college or university, a community college, or a technical college or trade school. Applicants for scholarships are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor.

Scholarship applications are judged by a committee of impartial post secondary educators. Applications are first reviewed by a panel of independent career professionals. Semi-finalists are chosen based on a point scale, and their applications are then provided to judges for further review and selection of finalists and awards. Program judges include representatives from the American Association of Community Colleges, the United Negro College Fund, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Evaluation criteria: The scholarship program is open to students attending or planning to attend a college or university, a community college, or a technical college or trade school. Applicants for scholarships are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor.

Scholarship applications are judged by a committee of impartial post secondary educators. Applications are first reviewed by a panel of independent career professionals. Semi-finalists are chosen based on a point scale, and their applications are then provided to judges for further review and selection of finalists and awards. Program judges include representatives from the American Association of Community Colleges, the United Negro College Fund, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Scholarship award amounts: The amount of the award ranges from $500 - $4,000. This is a one-time cash award sent to individual winners for undergraduate study beginning in the fall of the same year.

AFL-CIO Union Scholarship 

NYS AFL-CIO PEF members with a high school senior 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.  
Details are available online at http://www.aflcio.org/issues/education/higher.cfm  

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 (518) 436-8516 ext. 244.

Check back for the 2008 application

Nationwide Scholarship Search

With higher education, the sky is the limit.

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.

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.

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.

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Copyright © 2005 PEF REGION 5
Last modified: September 29, 2008