For many working families, the dream of attending college remains just that: a dream. With the price of college tuition rising steadily, and the prospect of hefty student loans turning away many would-be college students, the path to earning a degree may seem filled with roadblocks.
But for AFSCME members, there are several scholarship opportunities that can make paying for a college degree easier.
This year’s deadlines to take advantage of these competitive programs are just around the corner, so don’t delay: take the first step toward higher education.
AFSCME Family Scholarship
To help defray some of the costs of college and honor worthy students, the AFSCME Family Scholarship Program provides 10 $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. These awards can be renewed for $2,000 each year for a maximum of four years, provided the student remains enrolled in a full-time course of study.
The scholarship, which can be used for any field of study, is open to children and dependent grandchildren of active or retired AFSCME members.
The deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2018. Download the application.
Union Plus Scholarship Program
Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.3 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the fall of 2019. Students may re-apply each year.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2019. Learn more here.
The Gerald W. McEntee Scholarship
This one-time prize of $5,000, to be used for higher education costs, is awarded to one AFSCME member who best exemplifies former President McEntee’s commitment to strengthening our union through organizing, building political power for working families, defending workers’ rights and supporting public services.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2019. Learn more here.