Two IAFF members, one spouse of an IAFF member and three children of IAFF members are the recipients of Union Plus scholarships this year. Union Plus, which was created by the AFL-CIO to offer consumer benefits to union members and their families, awards scholarships annually to union members or members of their families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.
“Congratulations to our six scholarship winners,” says General President Edward Kelly. “I know they will do well as they pursue their academic goals. The sky is the limit for these incredibly motivated individuals.”
This year,189 union members and union family members have been awarded $200,000 in scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000. Scholarship awards are based on outstanding academic achievement, personal character, financial need and commitment to the values of organized labor.
The IAFF winners are:
- Overland Park, KS Local 4818 member Michael Manns
- Monroe County, FL Local 3909 member Bradley Morris
Hawaiian Islands Local 1463 member Kamehalani Oritz’s wife, Briana Ortiz- Pittsville Township, MI Local 3008 member Adam Corwin’s son, Cameron Corwin
- Arlington, VA Local 2800 Fred Kawatsky’s daughter, Abbigail Kawatsky
- Saint Joseph, MO Local 77 member Jamey McVicker’s daughter, Avery McVicker
These winners include those who are just starting their post-high school education and those who are adding advanced degrees. But two things they all value are community involvement and the labor movement.
Since starting the program in 1991, Union Plus has awarded more than $5.2 million in educational funding to more than 3,600 union members, spouses and dependent children. Union Plus Scholarship awards are granted to students attending a two-year college, four-year college, graduate school or recognized technical or trade school. The selection process is very competitive; 3,741 applications were received this year from 63 unions and all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories and three Canadian provinces.
Visit unionplus.org/scholarship for applications and benefit eligibility.
