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.
The 2025 application deadline has passed and winners will be announced in June. The 2026 application will be posted here as soon as it’s available.
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.
PEF Division 167 (WNYDDSO, DDRO, WNYCPC) is offering four (4) scholarships for books and incidentals to members, their children or their grandchildren. To be eligible, you must either be an incoming freshman or continuing your higher education, up to the doctorate level. Applicants must complete this application and submit an essay. Read the full details, here. The deadline is July 16, 2025.
PEF Division 196 (Roswell Park) will award 20 scholarships valued at $500 each to dependents of an active member who is enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credits) in school this coming fall. The deadline for applications to be received in the mail is Aug. 24, 2025. Click here for an application.
The Northeast Central Labor Council will be presenting three randomly selected awards to qualified students during the 2025-26 school year. Awards will be valued at $500 and be given in two installments. The first installment of $250 will be given in the Fall. The second installment of $250 will be given at the Legislative Breakfast in the spring, date and location to be announced.
To qualify:
The Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades and Labor Council is offering (3) $1,000 scholarships to PEF members employed in those counties. This scholarship is unique because it includes certificate programs over $1,000. Please click here for the guidelines and here for the application. The deadline is Aug. 1, 2025.
PEF Division 240 (State Insurance Fund) is conducting its annual Prashant “Peter” Singapura College Scholarship Contest. The Division awards up to nine scholarships: two $1,000 awards; one $500 award; three $350 awards; and three $150 awards. Read this story for full details and application instructions. The application deadline is June 27.
PEF Division 264 is offering two $500 scholarships for students to use to cover costs associated with college requirements, such as books and incidentals.
Only Syracuse members are eligible. Prior year winners’ families are not eligible to participate. To be eligible, students must be a child of an active PEF member who is enrolled in or completed vocational training, or any level of college education during the calendar year 2025.
Applicants must complete the application here; training or education must be in calendar year 2025; proof of enrollment or completion of training or education must be included; and the application must be received by July 29 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.