Are you looking for extra help paying for college for yourself or a child? Then SEIU is here to help fulfill that dream!

The 2015-2016 SEIU Scholarship Program began accepting applications on Dec. 1 and will continue through midnight March 2, 2015. These scholarship opportunities are open to all SEIU members and their children – and as a SEANC member, you qualify!

SEIU’s scholarships are designed to support students studying in fields including the arts, social justice and health care.

This year there are four scholarship categories:

• SEIU Lottery Scholarships (renewable) – Fifteen $1,000 scholarships renewable for up to four years to a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or community college.
• SEIU Lottery Scholarships (non-renewable) – Thirty-three $1,500 non-renewable scholarships good for one year to a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or community college.
• SEIU JJ Johnson Scholarship – One $5,000 scholarship renewable for up to four years to a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or community college. This scholarship is awarded to a student whose work and aspirations for economic and social justice reflect the values and accomplishments of J.J. Johnson, the former president of SEIU Local 617 in New Jersey and a founding member of SEIU’s African American Caucus.
• SEIU Moe Foner Scholarship – One non-renewable $5,000 scholarship to a two-year or four-year accredited college, university or community college or technical/trade school in an arts-related field. This scholarship, named for SEIU 1199 Bread and Roses Cultural Project founder, the late Moe Foner, is awarded to a student pursuing a degree or training in the visual or performing arts who believes the arts can help advance social change.

This is an opportunity that no college-bound student should pass up. Last year, six children of SEANC members won a combined $10,000 in scholarships from SEIU:

Winning a non-renewable $1,500 SEIU Lottery Scholarship were:

• Corry Botzenhart of Jacksonville (SEANC member – Garry Botzenhart, D-61)
• Brandon Gayle of Raleigh (SEANC member – Shirley Bunn, D-42)
• Lauren Neville of Linden (SEANC member – Ellen Neville, D-22)

Winning a renewable $1,000 SEIU Lottery Scholarship were:

• Ryan Frazier of Havelock (SEANC member – Jamel Frazier, D-67)
• Charles Hinton of Garner (SEANC member – Kimberly Hinton, D-37)

Winning a renewable $4,000 Nora Piore Scholarship (not offered this year) was:

• Jaslina Paintal of Raleigh (SEANC member – Amanjit Paintal, D-47)

So send your application in today!

Scholarships will be awarded and winners notified in the late spring of 2015 and announced online in the fall of 2015.