Scholarship Rules

Your union is about more than your paycheck and benefits.  The The UFCW is about workers coming together to build better lives for ourselves.  It's about creating opportunity.

That's why each year the UFCW awards several scholarships of up to $8,000 each to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents.

Rules and Regulations

• Reglas, proceso para la solicitud
• Règlemets

1. The scholarships are limited to members who have been in good standing for at least one year as of January 1th and their unmarried children or dependents under the age of 20.
2. The scholarship winners will be selected and awards made on the basis of scholastic achievements, community involvement and completion of an essay which shows understanding of the principles of the labor movement.  In reviewing the scholarship application, consideration may be given to geographic distribution of the scholarships.
3. The UFCW Scholarship Application Form must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2010.
4. Scholarship winners will receive annual payments of $2,000 for each year they are enrolled in an accredited college or university as a non-probationary student for up to four years. 

a. Payment is dependent on written evidence of graduation from high school or equivalent and enrollment in an accredited college or university, or institute of higher learning.

b. Payment of subsequent stipends is dependent on the recipient’s continued eligibility as outlined in the Scholarship Acceptance Agreement.

Process for Applying                         

1. Read the Rules and Regulations thoroughly.
2.  Complete the UFCW Scholarship Application online.  The application requires you to fill out a family profile, list school activities and awards, your work experience, and completion of an essay.  If you are unable to apply online, you may request an application by writing to: UFCW International Union, Attn: Scholarship Program, 1775 K Street N.W. Washington, DC 20006
3.  You and your parent (for students under the age of 18) must sign and date the application before submitting it to your high school officials.  Your signatures will authorize your school to release information about you as well as verify that the information you provided is true.  It will also allow your local union to release your membership information to the UFCW International Union for the purposes of verifying your eligibility.
4.  Give the application to your academic counselor who will complete it and mail it along with your grade transcript as well as proof of graduation, intent to graduate or receive your GED.
5.  Please do not submit any material other than requested.

 Receiving the Scholarship  

Payment of the Scholarship is dependent on written evidence of enrollment in an accredited college or university and maintaining continued eligibility. 

• This award has a maximum renewal of four (4) years or disbursements, is contingent on the recipient submitting to the UFCW written evidence of registration from the college or university that the student is or will be attending, and the recipient must be registered in such school as a non-probationary student.
• The recipient must agree to maintain a satisfactory grade level and will forward to the UFCW either a copy of his or her grades each quarter or semester, whichever is applicable, or a transcript of grades for the year at the end of each school year.
• Payment of the benefits to scholarship winners may be temporarily suspended upon written request of the winner under certain circumstances.
• In the event that the recipient’s education should be interrupted for some reason, he or she must understand that he or she must notify the UFCW in writing of such expected interruption and advise the Board of Trustees as to the cause for the interruption and the estimated date upon which he or she expects to resume their studies.

Other Information

• The Suffridge/Jimerson Scholarship Fund is maintained by the UFCW International Union and administered by the Executive Committee of the International Union.  The members of the Executive Committee are:
  • Joseph T. Hansen, International President
  • Anthony M. Perrone, International Secretary-Treasurer
  • William T. McDonough, Executive Vice President
  • Patrick J. O’Neill, Executive Vice President
  • Wayne E. Hanley, Executive Vice President
• The Executive Committee will have the full discretion to make the final decisions concerning the number of scholarships awarded each year, the amounts awarded and the winners of each of the scholarships.  The Executive Committee shall also have full discretion in deciding whether a scholarship is to be continued or deferred for any period of time.  All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be accorded the maximum deference allowed under law.
• EIN and Plan Number assigned to the Scholarship Fund is 53-0220586, Plan No. 509. Assets are held in a separate trust fund in the name of the Scholarship Fund. The UFCW International Union  (1775 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006) and its Executive Committee are the agents for the service of legal process.
• The fiscal year for the Scholarship Fund is May 1 - April 30.
• The rules for the Scholarship Fund are printed in both French and Spanish on this website. If you need help with understanding the scholarship rules and application in another language, please contact and we will obtain assistance for you.

Notes:

• Scholarship winners only will be notified via mail by July 1, 2010.
• Winners’ names will be posted on the UFCW Web site, www.ufcw.org.
• Email scholarship@ufcw.org with questions.
• Any applicant may ask the UFCW to review a denied application by sending a written request 60 days from the date the applicant has been notified.  The UFCW will respond to any request for review within 60 days.

Please read the Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions section before you e-mail.  Contact scholarship@ufcw.org with questions.