AFSCME Affiliate Scholarship Programs

Many AFSCME affiliates have special scholarship programs designed to help their members pursue educational opportunities to advance on the job and/or enrich their daily lives. Many individual local unions also have educational support programs for their members.

Geographic Scope: Multiple states across the United States

Available Programs by Affiliate

Alaska

• Alaska State Employees Association/AFSCME Local 52 (Anchorage chapter): Scholarships for members only

California

• California Council 36, AFSCME Local 119 - Johnny Johnson Scholarship: Two $1,000 scholarships annually for members or immediate family members of a member in good standing

Hawaii

• Hawaii Government Employees Association/AFSCME Local 152 - Charles Kendall Scholarship Fund: Scholarships and educational programs for members

Illinois

• Illinois Council 31 - Larry Marquardt Scholarship Awards: Two $1,000 scholarships per year for full-time study; open to members or their children

Minnesota

• Minnesota Council 6 - Robert Norberg Scholarship: One $250 scholarship annually for members
• Minnesota Council 65 - Duke Skorich Memorial Scholarship: One $250 scholarship annually for members

New England

• Northern New England Council 93 - M. Michael Botelho Scholarship: $1,000 annually; open to members, spouses, children, stepchildren, grandchildren or legal dependents

New York

• Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 1000 - LEAP Program (Labor Education Action Program): Higher education tuition benefits for state workers; includes career decision-making advice and financial aid guidance for local government employees

Ohio

• Ohio Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 11:
  • Les Best Scholarship: Eight to 12 scholarships annually totaling $12,000; for members, spouses and children
  • Pat Callanan-Castro Memorial Book Scholarship for Members: Two $150 book scholarships awarded to eligible members (evaluated alongside Les Best applications)

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Council 13 - Scholarship Program: 48 $500 scholarships for undergraduate study; four of these also receive an additional $1,000 (total $1,500); one $500 scholarship for graduate study. For members only.

Washington

• Washington Council 2:
  • Four $500 continuing education awards for members
  • One scholarship to the Summer School for Trade Union Women
• Washington Federation of State Employees/Council 28:
  • Norm Schut Scholarships: Three $1,000 awards annually (one for members; two for members, spouses and children)
  • Parr, Younglove Scholarship: One $1,500 prize, open to members and members' families
  • Neville B. Crippen Grant-in-Aid: Quarterly grants to help members advance their education or improve skills
  • Two $500 scholarships to attend the Summer School for Union Women

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Council 32 - Jim Boyd Memorial Scholarship:
  • One $2,000 one-year scholarship
  • Three $1,000 one-year scholarships
  • One $1,000 one-year scholarship awarded directly to a Council 32 member in good standing who is a returning student

How to Access

Contact your local affiliate or union officers for specific application procedures, deadlines, and eligibility requirements for programs in your area. Many local unions also have additional educational support programs.

How to Apply

1. Contact your local AFSCME affiliate or union officers
2. Ask about scholarship programs available through your specific local
3. Request application materials and deadline information
4. Follow affiliate-specific application procedures

Recommendation: If you are interested in continuing your education, ask your local's officers what union-supported options are available. The union also works with employers to provide educational opportunities and funding for employee advancement. Check available options through your human resources/personnel office.