Union Plus Scholarships Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Union Plus
Overview
The Union Plus Scholarship Program provides financial support to students from working families who seek post-secondary education. The program is administered by the Union Plus Education Foundation and receives partial support from providers of Union Plus financial products and college services. Participation in those programs is not required to apply for the scholarship. The program aims to reduce financial barriers and expand access to higher education for union households.
Description: A competitive scholarship program designed for current and retired members of participating unions and their immediate families, offering one-time awards to help cover college costs.
- Administered by the Union Plus Education Foundation.
- Open to students from union households; no product participation required to apply.
- Focused on reducing financial barriers to post-secondary education.
History of the Award
The program has been awarding scholarships since 1991 and has supported thousands of students from working families. To date, the program has distributed more than $6.2 million in scholarship funding. Over 4,400 families have received awards, reflecting a long-term commitment to higher education within the union community.
History of the Award: Established in 1991, the program has a multi-decade record of one-time scholarships aimed at enabling college attendance for union households.
- Founded in 1991 with sustained annual awards.
- More than $6.2 million awarded to date.
- Benefits more than 4,400 families so far.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses, and dependent children as defined by IRS regulations. A one-year continuous union membership minimum must be met by May 31 of the scholarship year by the applicant, the applicant’s spouse, or the applicant’s parent if the applicant is a dependent. Applicants should consult the program’s detailed eligibility guidance for specific definitions and documentation requirements.
Eligibility: Current/retired union members, spouses, and IRS-defined dependents; one-year continuous membership required by May 31 of the scholarship year.
- Applicants must meet union membership and dependency criteria.
- One-year membership minimum applies and must be satisfied by May 31.
- Refer to program guidance for documentation and definitions.
Evaluation Criteria
Scholarships are awarded through a competitive review process that assesses academic ability, social awareness, financial need, and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended but not strictly mandatory. Required essays can account for up to half of an applicant’s total score, and applications are evaluated by a panel of impartial post-secondary educators.
Evaluation: Applicants are judged on academics, essays, financial need, and labor appreciation, with essays having significant weight in scoring.
- Academic performance and GPA are important considerations.
- Essays may constitute up to 50% of the score.
- Reviewed by an impartial committee of post-secondary educators.
Application Timeline
Applications are made available beginning in mid-June each year. A complete application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the January deadline of the scholarship year; any submissions after that deadline will not be considered. Applicants should submit all required materials well before the deadline to avoid disqualification for late or incomplete applications.
Application Timeline: Applications open mid-June; complete submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on the January deadline of the scholarship year.
- Applications available starting in mid-June.
- Final deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST, in January of the scholarship year.
- Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Scholarship Award Amounts
Award amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 and are issued as one-time cash grants. Awards apply to study beginning in the fall of the award year and are intended to help cover tuition and related educational expenses. Students who receive awards may reapply in subsequent years if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
Award Value: One-time cash awards of $1,000–$4,000 for fall enrollment; recipients may reapply in later years.
- Awards range between $1,000 and $4,000.
- Funds are one-time payments for study beginning that fall.
- Recipients may reapply in future years if eligible.