Union Plus Scholarship
Offered by Union Plus (Union Privilege / AFL-CIO)
About This Scholarship
The Union Plus Scholarship is the flagship education benefit of Union Plus, the member-benefits organization created by the AFL-CIO. Since 1991 the program has distributed millions of dollars to union families, and in 2026 alone it awarded $300,000 across 181 scholarships. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $4,000 and are paid as one-time grants toward study at an accredited college, university, community college, or trade school.
What makes this program unusually broad is who can apply: current and retired members of any union that participates in a Union Plus program, plus their spouses and dependent children. That covers members of dozens of AFL-CIO affiliated unions, from teachers and letter carriers to electricians and machinists. The member must have at least one year of continuous union membership by May 31 of the scholarship year.
Selection weighs academics, community service, financial need, and two required essays of roughly 350 words each, which can count for up to half of the total score. Winners are announced the first week of June, and unsuccessful applicants may reapply in future years.
Eligibility
- Applicant must be a current or retired member of a union that participates in a Union Plus program, or the spouse or dependent child of such a member
- The union member must have at least one year of continuous union membership by May 31 of the scholarship year
- Must be attending or planning to attend an accredited U.S. college, university, community college, or recognized technical/trade school
- Open to high school seniors, current undergraduates, and graduate students in union families
- U.S. residency and other program terms apply as posted by Union Plus
How To Apply
- Complete the online application at unionplus.org/scholarships, including union affiliation details for the qualifying member
- Write the two required essays (about 350 words each) — they carry up to half the scoring weight
- Submit the full application by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 31; winners are notified in early June
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be the union member myself to apply?
No. Spouses and dependent children of current or retired members of participating unions are eligible, as long as the member has at least one year of continuous membership by May 31 of the scholarship year.
Is the Union Plus Scholarship renewable?
No, awards are one-time grants. However, you can reapply in future years, and past applicants are welcome to try again.