Students of PEF members are eligible for numerous union-sponsored scholarships.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make education more affordable.

 REMEMBER to meet application deadlines to qualify.

PEF Scholarship

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 21, 2008. 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 25, 2008.

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.
 

PEF Regional and Division Scholarships

Check with your PEF Council Leader and Regional Coordinator for information on local scholarships.

In addition, some of PEF Divisions and Regions offer scholarships to their members.  Click here for more information.

PEF Guide to Student Financial Aid

The Guide to Financial Assistance For Working Adult Students was developed to assist members in obtaining additional financial resources beyond that which may be available from your PEF contractual education benefits.

• Student Financial Aid- A Guide to Financial Assistance For Working Adult Students (800K Word)
• Student Financial Aid- A Guide to Financial Assistance For Working Adult Students (Adobe 490K)

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.  Applications are available online at http://www.aft.org/aftplus/scholarships/index.htm 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.

 

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU):  Through five different scholarship programs, SEIU awards 52 scholarships.  Applications must be postmarked or filed online by midnight March 1, 2008.   Checkout the website at http://www.seiu.org/mbe/scholarships for details on:

• SEIU Lottery Scholarships – A total of 48 lottery scholarships are awarded annually.  Fifteen $l,000 scholarships renewable for up to four years as well as 33 $1,500 scholarships for one year of study.

• 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, and who believe that the arts are a vehicle to advance social change.

• 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.

• SEIU John Geagan Scholarship – One $5,000 scholarship to be expended over a 24-month period ($2,500 a year).  The annual scholarship is for SEIU members, their children, and local staff who want to pursue a college degree in labor studies.

The Union Plus Scholarship Program 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. The amount of the awards ranged from $500 to $4,000. Please visit the website at http://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarships/ for details on 2008 scholarship opportunities.

Other Resources

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is an excellent source for information on financial aid programs, forms and services available to New York State students.  For information on the World Trade Center Memorial Scholarship 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 go to http://www.hesc.com.

Check with the guidance office at your child’s school for information regarding local scholarships.

Questions?  Comments?  Suggestions?