PEF members and their dependents are eligible for numerous 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 for posting to this web page by emailing Communicator@PEF.org.
PEF’s Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship has helped students since 1988, when it was founded as a tribute to a state Department of Labor member who helped form PEF and fought for the rights of his members in Manhattan.
Every year, 10 students are each awarded $1,000 annually for four years.
The student must be a child, stepchild or ward of an active, retired or deceased PEF member.
The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college freshmen. Click here to fill out the form. The deadline is March 15, 2025.
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 of every year.
Check with your PEF Council Leader or Regional Coordinator for information on local scholarships in your area. As we are made aware, we will post such scholarships here. If you have one you’d like to share, email us at Communicator@pef.org.
Region 7 scholarships are available for the fourth year. There will be two (2) $1,000 scholarships awarded. One is in honor of Ellen Mainville and one is in honor of Paul Normandeau, both Region 7 members who lost their lives to COVID.
The scholarships are only available to a child or legal dependent of a Region 7 dues-paying member. If the child or dependent is choosing to further their education after high school, then they qualify. Please click here for the scholarship application and here for an informational flyer. Scholarship applications are due back by May 9, 2025.
PEF Division 343 (Greene Correctional Facility) is holding its second annual college scholarship contest. The contest will award one $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must be a child or family member of an active PEF Division 343 member and a high school graduate or soon-to-be graduate enrolled in at an accredited New York State College for the Fall 2025 term as a freshman. Fill out the application and email it to Division 343 Secretary Christine Thompson at Namena2@yahoo.com with a copy to Council Leader Kathleen Pepper at RSC90@aol.com. An essay and proof of enrollment must also be submitted with the application. The subject line of the email should read PEF Division 343 Scholarship Fall 2025. The deadline is July 7, 2025. A winner will be chosen and announced on July 21.
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.
The Union Plus Scholarship Program awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000. The scholarship program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, and the selection process is very competitive as more than 5,000 applications are received each year. During the past 22 years, Union Plus has distributed more than $3.5 million in scholarships to working families. Applicants are evaluated on their academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is recommended.
Current and retired members of participating unions such as PEF, along with spouses and dependent children are eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university, community college, or technical or trade school. Undergraduate and graduate students also are eligible.
Online applications are recommended and available at http://www.unionplus.org/college-education-financing/union-plus-scholarship/ or, mail your name, all contact information, and your international union to Union Plus Education Foundation, c/o Union Privilege, PO Box 34800, Washington, DC 20043-4800.
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.ny.gov/.
Check with the guidance office at your child’s school for information regarding local scholarships.
A scholarship offered by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) since 2003 awards $1,000 to students of parents or guardians who receive Workers’ Compensation disability or death of a spouse benefits.Applicants must be nominated and able to prove that in addition to being a New York State resident currently enrolled in higher education, they are eligible based on an official decision from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Awards made from TSFFM are made directly to the institution on behalf of the nominee.
Click here to download the PDF application and follow the instructions to submit. All requested materials should be sent in a single PDF to: iwba@caphill.com.