Scholarships

PEF’s Joseph Scacalossi Scholarship has helped students since 1988, when it was founded as a tribute to a state Department of Labor member who helped form PEF and fought for the rights of his members in Manhattan.

Every year, 10 students are each awarded $1,000 annually for four years.

The student must be a child, stepchild or ward of an active, retired or deceased PEF member.

The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college freshmen. Click here to fill out the form. The deadline is March 15, 2025.

The Jean DeBow Women in PEF Scholarship was created to honor the memory of our former Vice-President, Jean DeBow. There will be one scholarship award of $1,000, given annually at the PEF Convention, for an Active Female PEF Member, who is pursuing an accredited Post Secondary education in any field.

Application details and instructions are available here.

DEADLINE:  Completed applications are due at PEF headquarters by May 1 of every year.

Check with your PEF Council Leader or Regional Coordinator for information on local scholarships in your area. As we are made aware, we will post such scholarships here. If you have one you’d like to share, email us at Communicator@pef.org.

PEF Region 1: Region 1 is offering legal dependents of active Region 1 members the opportunity to win four $500 scholarships in honor of Judith Scanlon. Click here for the application form and eligibility requirements. Winner will be determined by a random drawing of those who complete all requirements. Applicants cannot have won in the past four years. Mail your application (must be postmarked by no later than June 14, 2024) to: PEF Region 1 Coordinator Michele Iorfida, PEF Region 1 Office, 4950 Genesee Street, Ste. 150, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 14225.

PEF Region 11: Region 11 is once again holding its annual Region 11 Scholarship contest. Winners will receive an award of $500. The contest is open to first- and second-year college students of parents in Region 11 who are current PEF members. Previous winners are not eligible. Applications must be postmarked by July 16. Winners will be contacted by August 18. Click here for the application. Mail applications to Charles Roland, 25 Amelia Ct., Staten Island, N.Y. 10310, c/o The Scholarship Committee, or email Bernadette.O’Connor@pef.org or Charles.Roland@pef.org.

PEF Division 167: Division 167 is offering four (4) $400 scholarships to a child or grandchild of an active PEF Member from Division 167 working at WNYCPC or the WNYDDSO/DDRO entering as a freshman or continuing higher education up to and including a doctorate degree OR an active PEF Local 167 in pursuit of a degree. Click here for the application and here for the information flyer. Deadline is July 10, 2024.

PEF Division 206: Division 206 is proud to offer two $250 scholarships to help two deserving students pursuing higher education in honor of Vicky Stockton. Click here for more information.

PEF Division 234: PEF Division 234 will award eight (8) college scholarships of $500 each (totaling $4,000) to the children of PEF Division 234 members who are undergraduate, graduate, or vocational degree candidates during the Fall 2024 semester.

To ensure applicants have an equal opportunity to benefit from our awards program, qualified applicants will participate in a random drawing to receive a scholarship award. A dependent can only win this award once. Past awardees are not eligible. To qualify, applicants must send required documentation described here. The information will be verified by the PEF Division 234 Scholarship Committee. Deadline is July 31, 2024.

PEF Division 240: Division 240 is conducting its annual College Scholarship Contest. Up To 9 Scholarships awarded*.  two (2) $1,000 Awards; one (1) $500 Award, three (3) $350 Awards & three (3) $150 Awards. Eligibility includes: Applicant must be a PEF member of Division 240 or their dependent or their immediate family member (Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Spouse or Domestic Partner) OR Applicant MUST provide proof of Full Time or Part Time Enrollment at an Accredited College or University for Fall 2023 or Spring 2024, or a College Acceptance letter for Fall 2024 to an Accredited College or University. Click here for the application and here for the informational flyer. Deadline is July 19, 2024.

PEF Division 343: PEF Division 343 is conducting its first Annual College Scholarship Contest. We will be awarding one $1,000 scholarship to the winner. Click here for details and to apply. Deadline is July 5, 2024.

Our affiliation with AFT and SEIU enables members and dependents to be eligible for other union-based scholarship programs. Eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, award amounts, application instructions and deadlines vary.

The Union Plus Scholarship Program awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000. The scholarship program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, and the selection process is very competitive as more than 5,000 applications are received each year. During the past 22 years, Union Plus has distributed more than $3.5 million in scholarships to working families. Applicants are evaluated on their academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A grade point average of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

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 or university, community college, or technical or trade school. Undergraduate and graduate students also are eligible.

Online applications are recommended and available at http://www.unionplus.org/college-education-financing/union-plus-scholarship/ 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.

AFT Latino Maria Portalatin National Freedom Scholarship

The American Federation of Teachers’ Latino Caucus offers an annual scholarship for high school seniors on their way to college.

The Maria Portalatin National Freedom Scholarship offers three high school students who attend a public school a $1,000 book stipend and laptop.

In addition to being a senior at a public school, the student must be of Hispanic/Latino heritage and have a parent or guardian who is a member of a union.

The application for the scholarship is now available. Applicants will be evaluated based on preparation of the application, as well as submitted materials that include academic activity, an essay and a letter of recommendation.

Applications for the Maria Portalatin National Freedom Scholarship must be postmarked by May 31, 2024. Click here to download the application and follow the instructions to submit.

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is an excellent source for information on financial aid programs, forms and services available.  New York State students may be eligible for a variety of State grant, scholarship and award programs to help pay for college.  For information visit:  http://www.hesc.ny.gov/.

Check with the guidance office at your child’s school for information regarding local scholarships.

A scholarship offered by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) since 2003 awards $1,000 to students of parents or guardians who receive Workers’ Compensation disability or death of a spouse benefits.Applicants must be nominated and able to prove that in addition to being a New York State resident currently enrolled in higher education, they are eligible based on an official decision from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

Awards made from TSFFM are made directly to the institution on behalf of the nominee.

Click here to download the PDF application and follow the instructions to submit. All requested materials should be sent in a single PDF to: iwba@caphill.com.