As an OCSEA and AFSCME member, you have access to many education savings options for yourself and your family including union-only scholarships, discount college programs, and the Union Education Trust. With so many options, it can be confusing to know which programs might be right for you, your spouse, or your dependents. Read about each program below to learn how they work, who is eligible for each, and how to apply.

The Union Education Trust (UET) is an educational assistance program for State of Ohio bargaining unit employees (this is for members only, not families). Through UET, members get yearly financial assistance of up to $8,000 for programs that advance their careers, improve their quality of work life and work towards achieving employment security. The annual funds are available every year and must be used during the UET Fiscal year, July 1 - June 30.

• The Career Improvement Program (CIP) offers up to $5,000 per fiscal year for college-credit courses and Vocational Training and Specialty Education.
• The Computer Application Training program (CAT) offers $1,000 per fiscal year for non-college credit computer training courses.
• The Professional Enhancement Program (PE) offers $2,000 per fiscal year for non-college credit, short-term training opportunities that are not covered by CIP or CAT. 

To learn more about UET and to apply for benefits, visit UedTrust.org or call 1-866-436-7900.

AFSCME Family Scholarship

OCSEA members’ dependents can apply for the AFSCME Family Scholarship Program, which provides ten $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors that will be renewed for $2,000 each year for a maximum of four years, as long as the student remains enrolled in a full-time course of study. The scholarship may be used for any field of study. The AFSCME Family Scholarship is NOW OPEN for applications for 2025 through December 31. Click HERE for more information on applying.

 

Union Plus Scholarship Program

OCSEA members AND their families are eligible to apply for the Union Plus Scholarship Program, which awards one-time scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to union members and their families each year. Students may re-apply each year. Last year, a total of 209 scholarships were awarded, including to 22 AFSCME families and one OCSEA dependent (see story below)! The program is NOW OPEN for application for 2025 through January 31, 2025. Click HERE to see how to apply.

 

OCSEA Les Best Scholarship

Don’t forget about the OCSEA Les Best Scholarship program! The Les Best Scholarship program provides a total of $12,000 in awards each year to members, spouses, and dependents. The scholarship is for undergraduate degrees only. The application period is January 1-April 30 each year. Visit OCSEA.org/LesBest for details.

OCSEA Discount College

OCSEA members as well as ANY of their family members are eligible to utilize our Discount College Program powered by EBS Union College Benefit. This program provides discounts of up to 50% on online degree programs at a network of five colleges. To get started, applicants request a match to a program that fits their needs by visiting edutrustnetwork.org/ocsea. Then, admissions staff from the college you are matched with will contact you about your next steps. CLICK HERE to read all about the program and request your match.

 

Union Plus Discount College

In addition to our own program, OCSEA members and their spouses, children, grandchildren, financial dependents, siblings AND parents can access the Union Plus Discount College Program. The Union Plus program works with a network of six other colleges, which expands the school and degree options available to you. CLICK HERE to read more about this program and request your match.