BENEFITS FOR YOU
Scholarship recipients
Career and Educational Scholarships Help Members Achieve Their Dreams
Education and empowerment are essential to CSEA, and one of the ways our union supports members is through our grants, scholarships, and benefit provider scholarships.
Scholarships ranging from $500 to $1000 can make a significant impact, allowing CSEA members and their families to pursue life-changing learning opportunities.
Rebecca Munguia, Scholarship Committee Chair and member of Sylvan Chapter 73, explains that CSEA’s grants and scholarships are, “a great opportunity for members to pursue their dreams and achieve higher education.”
In the summer, applications open for the Member Career Grant and benefit provider Union Plus’ Scholarship. The Member Career grant supports member students interested in furthering their education.
“Member Career Grants are awarded to individuals who are currently enrolled in school part-time, full-time, or who plan to enroll in the term immediately following the grant award,” says Munguia.
The Scholarship Committee carefully selects members based on financial need, career goals and objectives, leadership, character, community service and participation in CSEA activities.
Scholarship recipient Emily Hobbs and her family.
Emily Hobbs, secretary of Helendale Chapter 507, is one of the Member Career Grant recipients. She is a mother of three and works as an Instructional Aide at Helendale Elementary. Hobbs is attending school to complete her associate’s degree before pursuing a bachelor's degree, a teaching credential, and a master's degree.
“It represents more than just financial support, it’s an opportunity to ease the burden of tuition, supplies, and other educational expenses while I continue to provide for my family,” said Hobbs.
“It also offers the chance to further my education and career, which will ultimately lead to greater financial stability and flexibility for my children and me.”
For many, like Hobbs, the grant is a stepping stone and opportunity to pursue higher education and further their career journey that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to pursue.
Johnny Jimenez, recipient of the Member Career Grant.
Another grant recipient, Johnny Jimenez, a member of Huntington Beach UHSD Chapter 157, explained that the grant enabled him to pay off his remaining tuition, allowing him to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a barber.
“I’m still pitching myself,” said Jimenez. “Now I have the opportunity to go back and do what I always wanted to do and tell my kids, ‘Hey, just go after your dreams, no matter how late.’”
Jimenez says that he would love for Barbering and Cosmetology to return to high schools and he hopes one day to teach barbering at his current school site, which he loves.
“I feel fortunate enough to have worked with the school district and be part of the Union, because there are so many different benefits and resources,” he said.
This year, CSEA awarded 40 career grants and 15 members received scholarships from Union Plus. Learn more about the Member Career Grant and the Union Plus Scholarship here.
Here are this year’s Member Career Grant and Union Plus Scholarship Recipients.
Here are this year’s Member Career Grant and Union Plus Scholarship Recipients:
Scholarships
Dependent Scholarship
- For graduating high school seniors and those enrolled in community college, university or a trade school on a full-time basis. Applications are available starting mid-November and applicants must submit by February 1 every year. Click here for more information.
Member Career Grant
- For CSEA members, these grants can help offset the cost of furthering your education. $1,000 grants are awarded based on a combination of criteria. Applications are now open and due October 31. Click here to apply.
Union Plus Scholarship
- For AFL-CIO affiliated union members or their dependents, these scholarships are available to students enrolled at an accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. Applications are available mid-June and due January 31, 2025. Click here to apply.
Member Reimbursement Subsidy
- For CSEA members, this subsidy is up to $250 and helps pay for various opportunities like necessities for No-Cost College classes, applying for citizenship, professional enrichment, and union activism.
- See more about what programs are eligible here.
