Union Plus Scholarships Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Union Plus

Overview

Description: The Union Plus Scholarship Program provides financial awards to students from working families pursuing post-secondary education. It is administered by the Union Plus Education Foundation and supported in part by contributions from providers of Union Plus financial and college programs. Applicants are not required to participate in those provider programs to apply for the scholarship.

• Administered by the Union Plus Education Foundation
• Supported by multiple Union Plus program providers
• Open to eligible applicants regardless of program participation

Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must be current or retired members of participating unions, their spouses, or their dependent children as defined by IRS regulations. A minimum of one year of continuous union membership is required by May 31 of the scholarship year and may be satisfied by the applicant, the applicant's spouse, or the parent (for dependent applicants). Specific documentation may be requested to verify membership and dependency status.

• Current or retired union members, spouses, and IRS-defined dependents
• One year continuous membership required by May 31 of the scholarship year
• Membership can be satisfied by applicant, spouse, or parent

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria: This is a competitive award assessed by a committee of impartial post-secondary educators. Applicants are evaluated on academic ability, social awareness, financial need, and appreciation of labor, with required essays potentially accounting for up to half of the total score. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended to be competitive.

• Academic ability, social awareness, financial need, and labor appreciation evaluated
• Essays can represent up to 50% of the evaluation
• Reviewed by an impartial committee of post-secondary educators

Application Timeline

Application Timeline: Applications become available in mid-June and must be completed and received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the January due date of the scholarship year. Applications received after that deadline will not be considered. Applicants should plan ahead to gather required documentation and submit before the deadline.

• Applications available starting mid-June
• Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the January due date
• Late submissions are not accepted

Award Value

Award Value: Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 and are issued as one-time cash payments. Awards are intended to support study beginning in the fall of the awarded year. Students are eligible to reapply for the scholarship in subsequent years.

• Awards between $1,000 and $4,000
• One-time cash awards for fall enrollment
• Applicants may reapply annually

History of the Award

History of the Award: Since 1991 the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $6.2 million to students from working families. Over 4,400 families have benefited from the program, reflecting a sustained commitment to supporting access to higher education. The program continues to prioritize assistance for students connected to union membership.

• Established in 1991
• Over $6.2 million awarded to date
• More than 4,400 beneficiary families