UFCW Charity Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

Introduction

The UFCW exists to unite workers in pursuit of improved lives and expanded opportunity. In support of that mission, each year the UFCW Charity Foundation awards scholarships—each worth up to $12,000 total—to eligible UFCW members or their unmarried dependents who are under age 20. Employees of the UFCW (officers and staff) and their immediate family members are excluded from eligibility.

Past recipients have pursued careers across fields such as public service, medicine, law, business, and education. Many former winners later served the union as staff, organizers, and community advocates, helping further UFCW goals.

Eligibility

- Applicants must be either:
- A UFCW member who has been active continuously since January 1, 2025, or
- An unmarried dependent (child) of an eligible member who is under 20 years old on May 24, 2026.
- UFCW officers, staff, and their immediate family members are not eligible.
- The student applicant must personally complete the scholarship application and essay.

Selection Criteria

Scholarships are awarded by the Foundation’s scholarship committee based on multiple considerations, including academic record, community service and involvement, and an essay demonstrating an understanding of labor movement principles.

Application Materials and Deadlines

- Complete the online application and submit the required supporting documents. After finishing the online application you will receive a Part B Form; that form plus your Official Grades Transcript must be sent by mail. Both items must bear a postmark no later than May 24, 2026. Allow adequate time for your school to prepare and mail transcripts.
- The online application will be accessible from February 9 through May 10, 2026. If you cannot apply online, you may request a paper application by writing to:
UFCW Charity Foundation
Attn: Scholarship Program
1775 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20006

How to Apply (Step-by-step)

1. Read these procedures carefully.
2. Fill out the online UFCW Charity Foundation Scholarship Application between Feb 9 and May 10, 2026. The application asks for a family profile, lists of school activities and awards, work history, and requires an essay.
3. The student must sign the application. If the applicant is under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign and date it. These signatures authorize your high school to release school records and permit your local union to release membership information to the Foundation to verify eligibility.
4. Give the signed application to your academic counselor. The counselor will complete the school portion, attach your Official Grades Transcript and proof of graduation or intent to graduate (or GED documentation), and mail these items. Do not send any materials beyond what is requested.
5. The Foundation considers an application complete only when it has received both the Official Grades Transcript and the Part B Form with a postmark no later than May 24, 2026.

Award Amounts and Payment Terms

- Scholarship recipients receive up to $3,000 per year, for a maximum of four years (up to $12,000 total), provided they remain eligible and are enrolled as non-probationary students at an accredited college, university, or institution of higher learning.
- Initial payment is contingent upon submission of written proof of high school graduation (or equivalent) and evidence of enrollment in an accredited postsecondary institution.
- Continued annual payments depend on the recipient’s ongoing compliance with the Scholarship Acceptance Agreement and the continued submission of required documentation.

Maintaining Eligibility After Award

- Each year, recipients must submit written proof of registration at the college or university they are attending and be enrolled as a non-probationary student.
- Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic standing and provide the Foundation with either semester/quarter grade reports as they are issued or an annual transcript at the end of each academic year.
- Payments may be temporarily suspended if the recipient requests a suspension in writing under qualifying circumstances.
- If a student’s education is interrupted, the recipient must notify the UFCW Charity Foundation in writing, explain the reason for the interruption, and provide an estimated date for resuming studies.

Administration and Other Important Information

- The UFCW Charity Foundation administers this scholarship program and retains sole discretion over final decisions, including which scholarships are awarded each year, award amounts, and whether a scholarship is continued, deferred, or suspended.
- Program materials and procedures are available in French and Spanish on the Foundation’s website. If you need help in another language, call 800-551-4010 and assistance will be arranged.

For questions about the application process or required documents, contact the UFCW Charity Foundation at the phone number above.