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. Read about the 2025 recipients, here.
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 deadline was March 13, 2026. The 2027 application will be available here in August 2026.
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.
The Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence Counties Central Trades and Labor Council will award three (3) $1,000 scholarships to applicants who have a parent or legal guardian who belongs to a union in any of those counties. Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger and be in the process of obtaining an undergraduate degree, attending a trade school, or acquiring a certificate in a training program. Click here for the full rules. And click here for the application, which is due by May 24, 2026.
PEF Division 194 (State Education Dept.) pays $200 to the kids of active Division 194 members who graduate high school. This is not a scholarship, and there are no specific requirements other than graduating high school and being the child of a Division 194 member. Please contact Division Treasurer Mickey Dobbin at mickeydobbin@gmail.com for details.
PEF Division 369 (Office of Temporary Disability Assistance) offers a $400 scholarship to support the educational goals of a deserving student in their community. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or a current college student and be a direct relative of an active PEF Division 369 member (child, stepchild, grandchild, sibling). The winner will be chosen by a random drawing. All qualified applications will have an equal chance of being selected. Applications are due March 15, 2027, and the winner will be chosen prior to March 31, 2027. Please click her for full details and the application.
The PEF Division 375 (Marcy CF) Scholarship Fund will award up to $1,000 to be paid directly to the student(s) for school-related expenses at an accredited college institution.
Applicants must be a graduating high school student in 2026 and be a dependent child of an active Division 375 member.
The winner(s) will be chosen by a committee after reviewing essays and applications. All qualified applications must be submitted by May 18, 2026, and will have an equal chance of being selected.
The application and essay topics are available here. Return by mail to: Attn: PEF, Marcy Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 5000, Marcy NY 13403, or drop off to Officer J. Spina in the Admin Lobby.
PEF Division 401 (Office of Children and Family Services) will award two $1,000 scholarships to be paid directly to students for expenses incurred for higher education. Click here for scholarship application and guidelines. Applications must be submitted by COB May 29, 2026. Winning applicants will be notified within one to two weeks. Email your application and essay to Division 401 Leader Rebecca Oliver at roliver1122@gmail.com.
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.
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Excelsior Scholarship
The Excelsior Scholarship application is now open for students attending college this spring or who missed the fall deadline. Eligible students may qualify for free tuition at state-operated SUNY or CUNY colleges!
To be eligible, students must:
If you do not meet the residency criteria, you may still qualify through the NYS DREAM Act. If you previously attended college before spring 2026, you must have completed at least 30 credits per year applicable toward your degree before applying.
For more information, visit the Excelsior program page or connect with your school’s guidance counselor or financial aid office.