Investing in the Future: Scholarships and Grants

Union Plus Scholarship Program - Deadline: All applications must be postmarked by January 30, 2010.

Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $2.4 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Over 1,700 families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.

Apply for Union Plus Scholarship

The 2010 scholarship application is available for download.
Download the PDF form here.
Download this PDF to type your answers in the PDF (large file size/longer download time) here.
*Please note: If you are using the free Acrobat reader, you must print the form after you fill it out because you will not be able to save your information.
 
How does the Union Plus Scholarship Program work?
Eligibility

SEIU Scholarships - The deadline for all applications is March 1, 2010.

Through five different scholarship programs, SEIU awards 52 scholarships that enable SEIU members and their children to pursue their educational goals at accredited colleges, universities, and technical schools.

SEIU's scholarships are open to SEIU members or their children. The John Geagan Scholarship is also open to local union staff. To be eligible to apply for any SEIU scholarship, membership must be for three continuous years as of September 1, 2010. All awards must be for the academic year(s) awarded. Scholarships will be awarded without regard to the sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability of any applicant. Scholarship awards are limited to one per household.

Officers and employees of the International union and their children are not eligible. Graduate students are not eligible.

Application Process

SEIU Lottery Scholarship Program
The SEIU Scholarship Program offers 48 $1,000 and $1,500 scholarships. All applicants must read the current Annual Report and then correctly answer all the questions on the SEIU Scholarship Program application form in order to qualify for a lottery drawing selection process.
Download application (pdf) or apply at aim.applyists.net/seiu

SEIU Moe Foner Scholarship Program For Visual and Performing Arts
SEIU is proud to offer a scholarship that continues the life work of the late Moe Foner, the founder of the SEIU 1199 Bread and Roses Cultural Project. Foner used his energy and imagination to tap into New York's thriving artistic community and brought new resonance to union concerts, exhibits, and publications. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to SEIU members and their children who are pursuing a degree or full-time training in the visual or performing arts.
Download application (pdf) or apply at aim.applyists.net/mf

SEIU Jesse Jackson Scholarship Program
The $5,000 SEIU Jesse Jackson scholarship is awarded to a student whose work and aspirations for economic and social justice reflect the values and accomplishments of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Download application (pdf) or apply at aim.applyists.net/jj

John Geagan Scholarships
The John Geagan scholarship is open to members, their children or local union staff who want to pursue a degree in labor studies. The scholarship is for $5,000.
Download application (pdf) or apply at aim.applyists.net/jg

SEIU Nora Piore Scholarship Program
The Nora Piore Scholarship is offered to those SEIU members and their children who wish to pursue a career in the health care field. It is a $4,000 scholarship renewable for up to two years.
Download application (pdf) or apply at aim.applyists.net/np

Union SAFE College Savings Grants
The benefits include a $500 grant to members who open a new 529 college savings or a pre-paid tuition account after July 1, 2009.Your 529 account beneficiary must be 12 years old or younger at the time you open your 529 account. Once you open the 529 account, you must build savings of at least $1,000. Learn more about requirements and how to apply.

Other Financial Services

Save on your taxes:  Union Plus TurboTax discount
The Union Plus Online Tax Preparation Service saves you 10%-15% off regular prices. Union members with qualifying adjusted gross income can get free filing of federal tax returns and a discounted filing fee for state returns.  No charge until you file or print your return. Members who purchase or download the desktop version of TurboTax must purchase the software through the Union Plus site to receive the discount on the program. The software will be available in early January.

Learn about the advantages of preparing and filing tax returns online.

Building Better Credit... At a Discount

The Union Plus Credit Score offers a 15% discount to union members on all myFICO credit score & online credit reporting products. Visit the special myFICO site for your union discount.

Free consumer credit education, including webinars, calculators and other tools to help you improve your FICO credit score.  Also see this credit education section.

Health and Well-being

Getting Healthy in the New Year for Less

Global Fit, the provider for Union Plus Health Club Discounts, has no significant competition in offering value through some 10,000 health clubs nationwide, including Curves, Gold Gyms, Sport & Health, and Bally's Total Fitness.

With regular exercise, you can lose weight, have more energy, be healthier, and feel your best. Learn more about health club discounts.

House and Home

Save My Home Hotline

Are you having trouble keeping up with your mortgage payments? Act now and get a confidential, free consultation with expert housing counselors. Learn more at http://www.unionplus.org/home-mortgage-programs/mortgage-foreclosure-help

Financial Service Program for SEIU Members

As a part of our commitment to improving the lives of our members, SEIU is excited to offer a financial service program uniquely designed for SEIU members, with products and services designed to meet a wide variety of needs, from savings to credit to financial education. Click here for a complete list of SEIU member benefits, including educational opportunities and scholarships.

The financial services program includes:

• The SEIU for You Visa® Prepaid Card, which offers valuable banking services for a very low price. Great for members looking for a safe and convenient way to receive their pay, manage their money, and not incur debt.
• Top-quality SEIU Rewards Visa® Credit Card, with no nuisance fees: no late, over-limit or cash advance fees.
• Focus on savings--link your prepaid debit card to an online high yield savings account.
• Financial education to guide members to the right products and help with broader financial issues. More information will be coming soon on this.

NEW!

The SEIU Rewards Visa® Credit Card

SEIU Credit Card Program Benefits

• • No nuisance fees: no late, over-limit or cash advance fees
• • No annual fee
• • Fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
• • 100 percent fraud protection
• • 1 percent cash back on all retail purchases, large and small choice of other rewards including: travel on any airline with no blackout dates; merchandise and gift cards from brand name retailers; exclusive travel and sporting events
• • 24/7 Live Customer Service and Online Banking

SEIU is serious about supporting you with the best possible products and services. Not everyone is interested in or eligible for a credit card. For these members, we have developed a great prepaid debit card that will help members manage money and avoid high fees.

• • No credit or Chex System review to obtain the card.
• • Your direct deposited paycheck, tax refund, or benefits payment is immediately available to you.
• • No holds, no fees, no waiting in line to cash a check.
• • Make purchases in person, online, mail order or by phone wherever Visa debit cards are accepted.
• • Unlimited free guaranteed checks to pay bills.
• • No overdraft or penalty fees because the card can't be overdrawn.

In addition to low fees and great features, the card helps you build a payment history that could help if you decide to reapply for the credit card at a later date.

Click here to learn more, or to apply call 1-800-337-6520 and ask for the SEIU for You Visa® Prepaid Card.

Financial Education

SEIU is developing an online financial education toolkit, specially designed to help you manage your money and save for your financial future.

Avoid common financial traps. Use SEIU's Financial education toolkit to stabilize your finances and build a nest egg for your future. Online resource coming soon!

SEIU Services and Marketing, Inc.

As further evidence of our commitment to providing you with superior financial services and products, SEIU has formed a new, wholly owned subsidiary--SEIU Services and Marketing, Inc.--which will be dedicated exclusively to the administration and promotion of this program. We have also established a dedicated e-mail address to which you can direct any questions you may have about the program at any time: FinancialServices@SEIU.org

If you are currently a carrier of the AFL-CIO credit card and interested in switching to the purple Visa, email us:FinancialServices@SEIU.org.

Prepaid Debit Card

Ideal for members without checking accounts or who want a lower cost way to bank. Use this Visa card to receive your pay through free direct deposit. Conveniently pay your every day expenses and bills. Send money to family or friends without high fees. Link your card to a high-yield savings account. Safer than cash. Learn more or Call 1-800-337-6520 and ask for the SEIU for You Visa Prepaid Card.

Other Financial Services

Credit Counseling Program

Offers high-quality confidential financial guidance, free consumer credit counseling services, and debt management assistance. Learn more at www.unionplus.org/creditcounseling.

Loan

Competitive-rate, personal and home equity loans. Ideal for debt consolidation. Apply online at www.unionplusloan.com or call 1-888-235-2759.

Your Credit Score

Learn your credit score and get help improving it. Visit www.unionplus.org/creditscore.

Computers

Discounts on computers and accessories. Visit http://www.unionplus.org/computers/dell-discount.

Entertainment

Entertainment Discounts

Save on movie tickets, movie rentals, theme parks, theater, museums, aquariums, sporting events, and skiing. Visit www.unionplus.org/entertainment for details.

Family Services

Legal Service

Free and discounted legal assistance. Visit www.unionplus.org/legal to search for an attorney online or call 1-888-993-8886 for a referral by phone.

Education Services

Provides information about education services: loans and scholarships; how to select a college and prepare for college entry tests; buying books from a union-organized online bookstore; and much more. Visit www.unionplus.org/education for details. Talk to a financial aid counselor at 1-877-881-1022.

Pet Services

Cut the cost of owning a pet. Save 25% on veterinarian services, 10% on pet health insurance premiums, and much more. Visit www.unionplus.org/pets.

Gift Shop

Flower Service

Save 15% when you send flowers. To place an order visit www.unionplus.org/flowers or call 1-888-667-7779.

North American Van Lines

Savings on interstate moves. Call 1-800-524-5533 or visit http://www.unionplus.org/moving-vans.cfm

Purchasing Power

SEIU's over 2 million members, along with other members of the AFL-CIO, gives the more than 13 million union members and their families substantial purchasing power.

Through member-only programs offered by SEIU in partnership with Union Privilege--a program founded by the AFL-CIO to provide consumer benefits--we're able to provide you and your family with special discounts, rates, and savings.

As a SEIU member or retiree, you're entitled to member-only benefits such as skip payments and financial assistance in the event of disability or layoff. These programs are designed specifically for union members and their families.

To learn more about Union Privilege and its programs, visit www.unionplus.org or call 1-800-452-9425 or 202-293-5330.

Insurance Protection

Life Insurance

Protect your family with term insurance at a low group rate. Premium waiver during layoffs. Visit www.unionplus.org/insurance.

Accidental Death Insurance

Receive Workplace Accidental Death Insurance at no cost; or purchase All-Cause Accidental Death coverage. Visit www.unionplus.org/insurance.

Auto Insurance

Members who purchase this insurance save an average of $350 on their auto insurance bill. For quotes, go to www.unionplus.org/autoinsurance or call 1-800-294-9496 to apply.

Professional Liability Insurance

This coverage can fill the gap in an employer liability policy and is available to nurses, dental assistants and hygienists, social workers, pharmacists and other medical professionals at competitive group rates. For an application, call Seabury & Smith at 1-800-621-3008.

Travel and Recreation

Vacation Tours

Discounted international travel packages. Call 1-800-590-1104 or visit www.unionplus.org/travel.

Car Rentals

Save up to 25% on car rentals. Visit www.unionplus.org/carrentals or call:

• Avis-1-800-698-5685, ID#B723700
• Budget-1-800-455-2848, ID# V816100

Union Marketplace

GOODYEAR TIRE AND SERVICE

Save up to 10% when you service your car or buy tires, and support union workers who make many Goodyear tires. Visit www.unionplus.org/goodyear.

CINGULAR WIRELESS

Save up to 10% on cellular phone service with a unionized wireless phone company. Visit www.unionplus.org/cingular.

POWELL'S BOOKSTORE

Save on new and used books and textbooks at this discount unionized Internet bookseller. Visit www.unionplus.org/books.

UNION-MADE CHECKS

Union-printed checks and return-address labels that feature your union logo. Call 1-888-864-6625.

UNION-MADE CLOTHING

Save up to 5% on union-made clothing from two providers of union-made apparel.

UAW Consumer Buying Guide

Purchase vehicles produced by workers who enjoy the benefits and protections of a union contract. View the 2009 United Auto Workers (UAW) Consumer Buying Guide.