Educational and Scholarship Opportunities

Access to educational opportunities is something Local 338 strongly values. As a member of Local 338 (or dependent of a member), you are eligible for a number of different scholarships and educational programs. Please see below for the full details and note that application deadlines do vary.
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Local 338 Scholarship Awards Program

Local 338 Members and their dependents can now apply for The 2024 Local 338 Charities, Inc. Scholarship Awards Program! The Scholarship Committee reviews applications and awards more than 20 scholarships each year. The 2024 Local 338 Charities Inc. Scholarship Awards Program is open to Local 338 Members (or their dependents) who are active members of the Union and have been for at least one (1) year from the date the Short Form Application. Please note this scholarship program is open to students who are currently enrolled as High School Seniors or currently enrolled in college or trade/vocational school. 

Applications for the 2024 Local 338 Scholarship have closed. Please check back in the Fall.
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RWDSU's Alvin E. Heaps Memorial Scholarship

Local 338 members and their children are eligible to apply for the RWDSU Alvin E. Heaps Scholarship. Scholarship winners will receive financial assistance for one academic year. 

To apply please click here: https://www.rwdsu.org/scholarship

The deadline for application is June 30th 2024.  

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UFCW Scholarship Program

In 2023 the UFCW Charity Foundation will award several Scholarships, up to $8,000 each, to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents under the age of 20.

For more information, and to find out if you are eligible, please visit: ufcwcharityfoundation.org/scholarship/
Applications for the 2024 scholarship are now Closed. Please Check back Spring 2025.
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Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial Scholarship

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial offers a scholarship of $6,000 to eligible recipients every year! The organization, which was established to memorialize the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, offers the scholarship to students who is a child or dependent of someone who receives a disability benefit from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

Applicants must meet the following guidelines:

  • Applicants must be a resident of New York State who is enrolled in an accredited program in higher education at a New York State public or private institution;
  • Is in good academic standing;
  • Demonstrates financial need;
  • Is a child/dependent of a parent or guardian who presently receives disability benefit payments pursuant to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law for Permanent Total Disability, Permanent Partial Disability, or Death of a Spouse. Please note: the only acceptable proof for this requirement is an official Decision of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.
Applicants can view a full list of Triangle Scholar Institutions on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial’s website. The application is available here and applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, please visit https://trianglememorial.org/scholarship/.
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UFCW Free Foreign Language Program

Whether it is for travel, work, or just for fun, the UFCW’s free foreign language program makes learning a new language easy. Local 338 members can use this benefit to learn a foreign language for free online and at their own pace. All lessons are self-guided. The program gives members access to online classes to learn Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin, and over 70 other different languages, including 20 different ESL courses. 

The online classes build on four conversational skills necessary to fully learn a new language: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture. 

UFCW Free Foreign Language Program Quarters: 
Spring quarter: April 1 – June 30 
Summer quarter: July 1 – September 30 
Fall quarter: October 1 – December 31 
Winter quarter: January 1 – March 31 

Seats in this program are still limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Members can apply to as many quarters as they'd like during the enrollment periods. Please visit ufcw.org/language to view when the next enrollment period is open. There will be no waitlist—please apply as soon as enrollment opens!
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GED Program for UFCW Members

Every UFCW member can take GED classes for free.

UFCW members can take General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes for free through Essential GED.

This GED program offers a customized learning plan, so that you’ll be able to successfully prepare yourself to pass the GED test, regardless of when you last went to school.

This program also allows you to study at your own pace – all classes are self-guided and can be completed from your phone or tablet.

If you are interested in using this benefit, please complete and submit the form on this page. It may take a few days to verify your UFCW membership. However, once confirmed, you’ll receive an email that explains how to login and begin taking free online GED classes.

At this time, this benefit is only available to UFCW members and retirees.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the UFCW education helpdesk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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UFCW Discounted College Benefit

As a member of Local 338, you and your dependents are eligible for the UFCW's new discounted college benefit! This program replaces the previous free college program offered by the UFCW and gives members access to a wide range of programs and fields of study allowing members to pursue associate, bachelors and masters degrees.

Classes are online and members can pursue full or part time studies at a discounted rate of 30 to 50%. The new program is through EBS Union College Benefit and EDVANCE, and these organizations will help match you to programs that best suit your field of interest. There are several fields of study available, including business, education, health, and more.

Here's how it works:

  1. Visit the UFCW Discounted College Benefit website to learn about everything available through the program: https://www.ufcw.org/ufcw-discount-college-program/
  2. Fill out match forms with BOTH EBS Union College Benefit and EDVANCE to see the full selection of schools and programs available to you.
  3. Admissions counselors at the schools you match with will work with you to confirm you meet their admission requirements and guide with you through the paperwork.

If you have additional questions about the program, please contact Caroline Leddy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Union Plus Bachelor's Degree Completion Program

Union Plus has partnered with Central State University (CSU) to offer union members and their families the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree online for little to no cost! The most you will pay is $4,500 per year, and for many, it will be significantly less or even zero. If you or your family member have an associate degree or have completed 60 credit hours in the intended major, you can enroll in Business Management or Teacher Education. The bachelor's degree completion is available to union members and retirees, as well as their spouses, children or stepchildren, grandchildren or step-grandchildren, domestic partners and financial dependents. 

Class enrollment occurs on a rolling basis so check the link below for updates on when they begin. Click Here to sign up today!
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Local 338 Scholarship at Suffolk County Community College

Two new scholarship opportunities are now available for Local 338 members and their dependents at Suffolk Community College. Students could be eligible for up to $2,000 towards the cost of tuition per semester (the scholarship award is renewable if certain GPA criteria is met). 

Applications are now closed. Please check back for the next opportunity to apply.

*Please note that these scholarships are granted by the Suffolk Community College Foundation.*

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Local 338 Scholarship at Nassau Community College

A scholarship opportunity is available for Local 338 members and their dependents who are currently or will be attending Nassau Community College. The award is up to $2,000 for two consecutive semesters (a total of $4,000) as long as the recipient maintains the eligibility criteria. Each year, one award will be granted to an eligible member or dependent. We strongly encourage you to apply as it may help you to reduce the financial burden of your educational expenses! 

Applications are now closed. Please check back for the next opportunity to apply.

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Union Plus Scholarship Award

Union Plus Scholarship Award All Local 338 members and their families are entitled to apply for the Union Plus Scholarship Award to be used towards their college education. Scholarship awards vary from $500 to $4,000 and these one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the fall. However, students may re-apply each year. 

Applications for the 2024 scholarship are now open. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2024 

Note that when creating your free Union Plus account, you must select the following options: 
1. Under Union - "RWDSU (Retail Workers)" 
2. Under Local Name - "Local 338" 
3. Then select whether you are a "Union Member" or "Dependent."
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Island Federal Credit Union Scholarship

Island Federal Credit Union is firmly committed to the families of Long Island. That's why each spring, we award scholarships to high school seniors planning to continue their education. All members who are high school seniors and are pursuing advanced full-time study after graduation are encouraged to apply for an Island Federal Credit Union Scholarship. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000! 

The deadline to apply has passed. Please check back later this year for when the next scholarship opens.

*Note that this scholarship requires applicants to have an account with Island Federal Credit Union, as well as live and/or work in Nassau or Suffolk Counties.*
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LIM College

Local 338 members, dependents, and retirees are now eligible for tuition discounts and scholarships of up to $13,000 at LIM College. The college offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of programs, including fashion media, marketing and merchandising, along with degrees in their newest program, The Business of Cannabis. Courses are offered in a variety of formats (including in-person, online, and hybrid). 

Students will have access to required internships, collaborative industry projects, networking opportunities, career workshops, and recruiting events, as well as incredible access to alumni, industry partners, and professional networks. 

In addition to scholarships and discounted tuition for all LIM degree programs, all application fees will be waived for Local 338 partnership applicants. LIM College also has a generous transfer policy for credits earned at other colleges and universities. 

For more information on programs, application requirements, and scholarship guidelines contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..