Meet the deadlines to help ease college costs


Scholarship applications reflect the values of union activists


By DEBORAH A. MILES Scholarships are often named after individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others. PEF has kept the memory of Joseph Scacalossi alive since 1988 for his role in helping to form PEF and for fighting for his members’ rights at the state Department of Labor in Manhattan. Every year, the


SCACALOSSI


Scacalossi Scholarship is awarded to 10 students and each receives $1,000 annually for four years. It is open to high school seniors and college


freshmen. To apply, students must submit a preliminary application by March 20. It will be reviewed by PEF’s scholarship committee, and eligible students will receive a final application that must be completed and returned to PEF headquarters by April 24. The preliminary application is available


at www.pef.org. Click on “About” and scroll down to “Scholarships.” Many of PEF’s regions and divisions also


offer scholarships. To find out, contact your council leader or regional coordinator.


JOHNSON


SEIU The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has a number of scholarships honoring pioneers in their fields such as J.J. Johnson, a founding member of SEIU’s African American Caucus. One $5,000 scholarship renewable for up to four years is given to a student whose work and aspirations for economic and social justice reflect the values


of Johnson. To apply, go to https:// aim.applyists.net/JJ. SEIU also offers a scholarship for


students pursuing a career in the visual or performing arts field. The Moe Foner Scholarship promotes the life work of the founder of the SEIU 1199 Bread and Roses Cultural Project. Foner used his energy and imagination to tap into New York’s thriving


PORTER


artistic community and brought new resonance to union concerts and publications. This is a one-time $5,000 scholarship and the application is available at https://aim.applyists.net/MF. SEIU’s lottery scholarship is very


popular as 15 students are each awarded $1,000 renewable for up to four years, and 33 students $1,500 as one-time grants. Applicants for the lottery scholarship must read the SEIU Four Year Report, available only at www.seiu.org/members, then correctly answer all the questions on the application to qualify for the drawing. To apply for a lottery scholarship go to https://aim.applyists.net.seiu. All SEIU applications are currently


available and must be completed and filed online by March 2. They also may be mailed and postmarked by that date to SEIU (name of scholarship), ISTS, 1321 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 800, Nashville, TN 37217. Winners will be notified in late spring and announced on www.seiu.org.


AFT Robert G. Porter was a


union activist who dedicated his life to championing the rights of working people, promoting civil rights and ensuring that the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) was a vehicle for fostering professionalism for its members. He was the AFT secretary-treasurer from 1963 to 1991. AFT awards four


scholarships of $8,000


each to accomplished high school students who show outstanding service to their community and who understand how unions can help create fairness in society. The scholarship is usually paid out through four $2,000 annual payments. Students applying for a Porter


Scholarship must be pursuing a career in labor relations, education, health care or government service. The application requires a well-researched essay about a topic listed on the application form. Grants of $1,000 each are also awarded


to 10 AFT members. Awards are based on an essay about reclaiming the promise of a just society. Grant money must be used at institutions that are accredited by an


Page 16—The Communicator December 2014 - January 2015


agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Applications are available at


www.aft.org or by mailing a self-addressed stamped envelope to Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, AFT, 555 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001. Applications must be received by the end of March. Winners are usually notified by June 30.


Union Plus Since 1992, the


Union Plus Scholarship program has awarded more than $3.6 million to


students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. This is a competitive scholarship and applicants are evaluated on academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is recommended. Scholarship award amounts range from


$500 to $4,000. These are one-time cash awards for study beginning in the fall of 2015. Students may re-apply each year. The scholarship committee will select


the recipients by May 31, and the winners will be notified during the first two weeks in June. 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, university, community college or technical or trade school. Online applications are recommended


and available at www.unionplus.org/ college-education-financing/union-plus- scholarships. 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. To receive mobile text alerts about


education-related deadlines and information, text STUDENT to 22555. Applications are due by noon, Friday,


January 30. PEF Information Line: 1-800-553-2445


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