Unions help working families fulfill their dreams in many different ways. At SEIU, this includes yearly college scholarship opportunities.

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

The deadline for all applications is March 1, 2010.

» 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