Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to AFSCME Union Scholarships

For union members and their families seeking to further their education, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Union Plus offer valuable scholarship programs. These scholarships provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher education, helping to ease the burden of tuition costs and open doors to a brighter future. This article will outline the eligibility requirements, application process, and key considerations for AFSCME and Union Plus scholarships.

AFSCME Council 13 Scholarship Program

AFSCME Council 13 offers a scholarship program exclusively for its members and their families. The program aims to support the educational aspirations of those affiliated with the union.

Eligibility for AFSCME Council 13 Scholarships

To be eligible for the AFSCME Council 13 Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be an AFSCME Council 13 member in good standing, or be their child or grandchild. Grandchildren of RPEP members in good standing are also eligible.
Be a full-time student enrolled in an accredited program of higher education.

Application Process

The application process for the AFSCME Council 13 Scholarship involves several key steps:

Complete the Application Form: Applicants must fill out the official application form with accurate and complete information.
Attach Character References: The application requires three character references from individuals who are not family members. These references should attest to the applicant's character, work ethic, and potential for success.
Essay: Write an essay on the following topic: Unions have long been at the forefront of advocating for public employees' rights, benefits, and working conditions. However, the strength of the public workforce extends beyond the well-being of its workers - it directly impacts the quality of services provided to citizens. In what ways do labor unions contribute to the overall effectiveness and accountability of public services?

Selection Process

Winners of the AFSCME Council 13 Scholarship are chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of knowledgeable and exemplary individuals. The committee evaluates applications based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and the quality of the submitted essay and references.

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Union Plus Scholarship Program

The Union Plus Scholarship Program, sponsored by the Union Plus Education Foundation, provides financial assistance to students from union families. Since 1991, the program has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships, helping numerous students pursue their educational goals.

Eligibility for Union Plus Scholarships

To be eligible for the Union Plus Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a current or retired member of a participating union, their spouse, or their dependent child (as defined by IRS regulations). This includes foster children, stepchildren, and any other child for whom the individual member provides greater than 50% of his or her support.
Have at least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant's spouse, or parent (if the applicant is a dependent). The one-year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31 of the scholarship year.
Be accepted into an accredited college or university, community college, or recognized technical or trade school at the time the award is issued.

Evaluation Criteria

The Union Plus Scholarship Program is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Academic Ability: A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.
Social Awareness: Demonstrated understanding of social issues and commitment to community involvement.
Financial Need: Consideration of the applicant's financial circumstances and need for financial assistance.
Appreciation of Labor: Understanding and appreciation of the labor movement and its contributions to society.

Application Deadline and Award Amounts

The application deadline for the Union Plus Scholarship Program is January 31 of the scholarship year, at noon Eastern Standard Time. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Scholarship award amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These are one-time cash awards for study beginning in the fall of the awarded year. Students may re-apply each year.

Isaiah's Award

Isaiah's Award was created to honor the exceptional life of Isaiah C., a beloved child, fostered and adopted by a current, long-time employee of Union Plus. Isaiah was a smart, talented, spiritual, generous and kind young man. It is our wish that his gentle spirit live on, in part, through this namesake scholarship. Applicants for Isaiah's Award must have a special connection to the foster care system, and will be asked in their application to describe their personal, employment, volunteer experiences, or career goals related to the foster care system.

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Award Date

The Scholarship Committee will determine recipients of scholarship awards by May 31 each year. Please note that due to the volume of applications we cannot provide any information on the status of an application before award announcements are made.

Outstanding Scholarship Recipients

The students selected for university, college, trade or technical school scholarships represent a wide sampling of backgrounds, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments. The selection process is very competitive since we receive over thousands of applications each year.

The Union Plus Education Foundation

The Union Plus Education Foundation has awarded more than $5.9 million in scholarships to students of union families. Over 4,200 union families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. With the help of donations from union supporters, the Foundation can help even more union families attain their education goals.

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AFSCME Union Scholars Program

In partnership with the Harvard University Center for Labor and a Just Economy and the Wurf Fund, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union introduces the Union Scholars Program: a summer scholarship and internship opportunity for students who share our goal of promoting social and economic justice, civil rights, and elevating the dignity of public service.

Application Information

Applications are due February 28, 2026. All applications are read thoroughly and reviewed for the students' interests, inspirations, values, and goals. Knowledge about unions and experience in the labor movement are not required for a student to be accepted into the Program. 10 successful applicants will be chosen for the Program.

Examples of Scholarship Recipients

The Union Plus Scholarship Program has supported a diverse group of students from various backgrounds and union affiliations. Here are a few examples of recent scholarship recipients:

Lillian Adey of West Seneca, New York.
Matthew Alstad of Cohasset, Minnesota.
Zizy Alvarado of Richmond Hill, New York.
Aggie Burstein of Olympia, Washington.
BellaRose Clarke of Brooklyn, New York.
Lori Ann Concepcion of Honolulu.
Stephen Robert D’Alessio of Arlington, Virginia.
Emily Guzowski of Merrick, New York.
Cole Hofstad of Royalton, Minnesota.
Joanna K. Janik of Harriman, New York.
Makenzie Noelle Jordan of San Lorenzo, California.
Natalia Mariela King of Tustin, California.
Kaydence Lyn Knutson of Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
Veronica Destiny Kowalewski of Tully, New York. Kowalewski, whose father, Patrick Kowalewski, is a member of CSEA/AFSCME Local Sub Unit 528, has been awarded a $500 scholarship.
Ferlin Llanto Lamoste of Wahiawa, Hawai`i.
Nevaeh Precious Lofton of Baltimore.
Sawyer William Lusby of Mount Vernon, Illinois.
Madison Marker of Flushing, Michigan.
Mary McLinden of West Chester, Ohio.
Lois Gayole Monroe of Cable, Ohio.
Aicha Pitroipa of Bronx, New York.
Nicholas Rey Rota of Medford, New York.
Alysse Scott of Hamilton, Ohio.
Kavya Shah of Laurel, Maryland.
Ryan Robert Sherry of Roaming Shores, Ohio.
Ethan Skalski of West Seneca, New York.
Jordanna Takaki of Hilo, Hawai`i. Takaki, whose mother, Kori Takaki, is a member of HGEA/AFSCME Local 152 Sub Unit 6, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

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