Scholarships
PEF members and their dependants are eligible for numerous 2012-2013 union-sponsored scholarships. Do not miss the opportunity to make education more affordable by applying for college scholarships. Remember to meet application deadlines to qualify.
PEF Regions and Divisions - please send information concerning scholarships offered to your constituents to the PEF Education Department (Click here) for posting to this web page.
PEF Scholarships
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The Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship began in 1988 and is 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 16, 2012. For your convenience, the form is included here.
Upon approval of your preliminary application, the PEF Scholarship Committee will mail you a final application.
DEADLINE: Return the final application before April 27, 2012. -
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.
DEADLINE: Completed applications are due at PEF headquarters by May 1, 2012.
PEF Regional and Division Scholarships
Check with your PEF Council Leader and Regional Coordinator for information on local scholarships.
As they become available, we will post such scholarships here.
Division 179 Scholastic Scholarship
Division 192 Patrick Hilliard Scholarship Fund
PEF Black Caucus Vivian Birdsong Monsanto Scholarship
Other Union-Based Scholarships
Our affiliation with AFT and SEIU enables members and dependents to be eligible for other union-based scholarship programs. Eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, award amounts, application instructions and deadlines vary. It is easier than ever to apply with applications just a click away. Visit the following websites for information on scholarships available to union members.
- 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. Information is available online at http://www.aft.org/aftplus/scholarships/index.htm.
- The Service Employees International Union (SEIU): Through five different scholarship programs, SEIU awards 53 scholarships open to members or their children. To be eligible to apply for any SEIU scholarship, membership must be for three continuous years as of September 1, 2012.
Applications must be filed online or postmarked by midnight March 1, 2012.
Selection Process: To see application requirements for each scholarship go to http://www.seiu.org/a/members/fulfill-your-college-goals-with-an-seiu-scholarship.php
- SEIU Lottery Scholarships – There are a total of 48 lottery scholarships awarded annually.
Fifteen $1,000 scholarships renewable for up to four years as well as thirteen $1,500 scholarships for one year of study.
Thirty-three $1,500 scholarships non-renewable, one-time awards.
Apply online at http://aim.applyists.net/seiu
Program Key: SEIU (for lottery)
- SEIU Moe Foner Scholarship – One $5,000 nonrenewable scholarship is available to students who are pursuing a degree or training in the visual or performing arts.
Apply online at http://aim.applyists.net/mf
Program Key: MF (for Moe Foner) - SEIU Jesse Jackson Scholarship – One $5,000 scholarship renewable for up to four years is given to a student whose work and aspirations for economic and social justice reflect the values and accomplishments of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Apply online at http://aim.applyists.net/jj
Program Key : JJ (for Jesse Jackson) - Bonnie Ladin Scholarship at the National Labor College - The Bonnie Ladin scholarship is available for SEIU members, their children and local staff who are attending the National Labor College. Bonnie Ladin was an organizer at SEIU for 20 years and played an integral role in building SEIU to make it the union it has become. In honor of her tremendous contributions to the labor movement, SEIU has created a scholarship in her name.
Eligibility Criteria: Members, their children and local staff who have been accepted into the NLC's Bachelor of Arts program and are fully matriculated (which means they have earned or transferred 56 credits) are eligible to apply.
Please go to http://www.nlc.edu/scholarships.html for more information and to apply. - SEUI Nora Piore Scholarship – Offered to those SEIU members and their children who wish to pursue a career in the health care field. The scholarship is made possible by an endowment by the family of Nora Piore. It is for $4,000 and is renewable for up to two years.
Apply online, at http://aim.applyists.net/NP
Program Key: NP (for Nora Piore)
Apply online by going to www.applyists.net/bl. - SEIU Lottery Scholarships – There are a total of 48 lottery scholarships awarded annually.
- Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $3.2 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. The students selected for university, college, trade school or technical scholarships represent a wide sampling of backgrounds, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments.
Scholarship Award Amounts: Amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the fall of 2012. Students may re-apply each year.
This year's application is entirely online - allowing students to complete their application over time and save their responses.
Apply online at http://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarships/
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2012.
Other Resources
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is an excellent source for information on financial aid programs, forms and services available. New York State students may be eligible for a variety of State grant, scholarship and award programs to help pay for college. For information visit: http://www.hesc.com/.
Check with the guidance office at your child’s school for information regarding local scholarships.
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