Robert G. Porter Scholars Program Opening Soon

About This Scholarship

The American Federation of Teachers — the 1.8 million-member union of educators, school staff, nurses, and public employees — honors its late secretary-treasurer Robert G. Porter with an annual scholars program serving both members' children and members themselves.

For students, the program awards four $8,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have at least one parent or legal guardian who has been an AFT member in good standing for a year or more. The $8,000 is disbursed as $2,000 annual payments, renewable as long as the student maintains a 2.75 GPA and satisfactory progress. For working members, ten one-time $1,000 grants help cover continuing education coursework.

Essays are central to selection: applicants write about their values and commitment to advancing workers' interests and social justice, in keeping with the union's mission. Children and staff of AFT national, state, or local union offices are not eligible. Applications are submitted through the AFT's online grant portal during a window that runs from December 1 through the spring deadline.

Eligibility

• Student track: graduating high school seniors with at least one parent or legal guardian who has been an AFT member in good standing for at least one year
• Member track: AFT members in good standing for at least one year seeking continuing education grants
• Children or staff of AFT national, state, or local union offices are not eligible
• Student scholarships require maintaining a 2.75 GPA for renewal

How To Apply

• Open the application from the AFT scholarships page (aft.org) when the window opens December 1 — submissions run through an online grant portal
• Complete the required essays on advancing workers' interests and social justice, plus academic records
• Submit before the spring deadline; winners are notified by June 30

Apply Now →

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