MEMBER FOCUS
Scholarship recipients
How CSEA scholarships encourage member dependents on their college journey
By David Ngo
For recipients of CSEA’s dependent scholarships and the 2021 Union Plus scholarships, pathways to college were set in stone early. Whether it’s due to a parent or grandparent working at the local school or a desire to carry on family tradition, one thing’s for sure – CSEA is with them through it all. Over the past year, 59 CSEA member dependents were each awarded $1,000 scholarships across three categories for first-year, community college, and university students. Union Plus, one of CSEA’s insurance partners, also awarded 21 member dependents scholarships across similar categories, including trade and technical students.
Izaiah Ruiz, son of Kathy Ruiz, will attend Fresno Pacific University this fall.
“My mom is a secretary for a middle school and she has been encouraging me to apply for this scholarship for the longest time,” said Izaiah Ruiz, son of Kathy Ruiz, an office secretary from Tulare Elementary Chapter 216. “When I found out I was chosen, I knew my mom would be very excited for me.”
For more than 50 years, CSEA has supported member dependents in post-secondary education with scholarships. The responsibility of awarding scholarships rests solely with the CSEA State Scholarship Committee (CSSC), which awards CSEA member dependents based on financial need, academic achievement, outstanding citizenry and exceptional circumstances. Assisting in different educational pathways like community colleges, four-year universities, trade and vocational schools, the scholarships program is a testament to CSEA’s commitment to members and their families.
The CSSC, made up of members from across California, has awarded over a million dollars in the last five decades. The scholarships process starts in mid-November, when applications are made available, and applicants must submit by March 1 of every year. Winners are presented at the CSEA State Board meeting in June and recipients are awarded scholarship money in September, once full-time enrollment is verified. “Because of this scholarship, I will be able to live on campus this year and pay for my tuition at Fresno Pacific,” Ruiz explained. “Living on campus was always a college wish I've had since I was little, and now, knowing that will soon be a reality for me is just amazing.” For members with dependents already in college, seeing their loved one receive the scholarship is a manifestation of how far they have come in the classroom and in life.
Eri Osuna and Patricia Osuna smile with Eri’s high school diploma. Eri is currently attending San Bernadino Valley College
“When my son transitioned from eighth grade to high school, he developed alopecia and lost all his hair, eyebrows, everything,” said Patricia Osuna, a paraeducator from San Bernardino Chapter 183 and mother of Eri Osuna, who received a dependent scholarship. “Some students were being mean. They were being rude and made fun of him, so we went to a different alternative school,” said Osuna. “And he finished quicker, he finished in three years. Now he’s in college at (San Bernardino) Valley and has one more year.”
Pathways to higher education for member dependents differ based on circumstances, but CSEA’s dependent scholarships are a point of pride for many members and their families. Members can’t help but smile and fill with joy when asked about how proud they are of their loved one, especially when higher education has been in the works since day one.
Tesla Ehlerding, daughter of Jeanette Collins, will attend San Diego State University this upcoming fall
Jeanette Collins, a cafeteria worker from Trinity Alps Chapter 578, was asked if the scholarship program makes a difference for members. She said: “I think it does because college is going to cost a fortune and I’m a single mom.” Collin’s daughter, Tesla Ehlerding, received eight scholarships, including CSEA’s dependent scholarship. She will attend San Diego State University this fall. “My daughter is a go-getter, and she goes after what she wants,” said Collins. “She wants to be an environmental engineer and study renewable energy. She’ll do it, I know she will.”
Though achieving a college degree can be difficult, members can count on CSEA to support their loved ones on the path to success. CSEA offers $135,000 in scholarships and grants every year, available to members and their dependents through different programs and initiatives. Learn more about available scholarships at www.csea.com/education.
