Teamsters Scholarship Fund Opening Soon
Offered by International Brotherhood of Teamsters
About This Scholarship
The Teamsters Scholarship Fund is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' own 501(c)(3) scholarship program for the children and financial dependents of Teamster members. The fund distributes at least $1.2 million per year through 600 one-time $2,000 scholarships, which makes it one of the larger union scholarship programs in the country by number of awards.
Eligible applicants are the sons, daughters, or financial dependents (not spouses) of Teamsters in good standing, including members of the BLET, BMWED, and TCRC rail and transit affiliates. The fund covers three paths: high school seniors heading to a four-year college, community college transfers, and students entering trade or vocational programs tied to a Teamsters-represented industry. GED holders and home-schooled students with a signed transcript are also eligible, while children of full-time local union officers and staff are not.
Applications for the Class of 2027 open on the Teamsters website November 1, 2026, and International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS) selects the recipients. Because the awards are one-time and spread across hundreds of winners, this is a volume program: a straightforward application with better odds than most national scholarships of this size.
Eligibility
- Son, daughter, or financial dependent (not a spouse) of a Teamster member in good standing (includes BLET, BMWED, and TCRC members; retirees who qualified in good standing count)
- High school senior planning to enroll at a four-year college, a community college transfer student, or a student entering a trade or vocational (associate-level) program related to a Teamsters-represented industry
- GED holders and home-schooled students with a transcript signed by a credentialed teacher are eligible
- Children and dependents of full-time local union officers or full-time union staff are ineligible
- Awards are one-time and not renewable
How To Apply
- Confirm the parent or guardian's Teamster membership status and local union number
- Go to the Teamsters Scholarship Fund page at teamster.org/scholarships when Class of 2027 applications open November 1, 2026
- Complete the online application on the fund's ISTS portal (aim.applyists.net/TSF) with transcripts and membership verification before the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same program as the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund?
No. The Hoffa fund is now independent of the union, and the Teamsters Scholarship Fund is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' own program. Eligible students are encouraged to apply to both.
How much can I win?
Every award is a one-time $2,000 scholarship, and the fund distributes at least $1.2 million per year across 600 recipients.
Do trade school students qualify?
Yes, if the training or vocational program is a non-baccalaureate (associate-level) program related to a Teamsters-represented industry, such as construction trades, package delivery, food processing, or rail.