Scholarships & College Programs
Fulfill Your College Goals
College goals can be expensive. SEIU International offers affordable options with low-cost tuition for members and their families.
SEIU 521 and API award yearly college scholarship opportunities that enable members and their children to pursue their educational goals at colleges, universities, labor study programs, and technical schools.
Become an SEIU 521 member today to enjoy these benefits, and more!
SEIU Local 521 Scholarship
Ann Cervantes Scholarship
College goals can be expensive. SEIU Local 521 awards this annual college scholarship that enables members and their children to pursue their educational goals at colleges, universities, labor study programs, and technical schools.
Active SEIU 521 Union Membership Eligibility:
You must be a current dues-paying member without any breaks in service since September 1, 2024. Scholarships are only available to applicants in their first year of study. Graduate students are not eligible. SEIU International officers, employees, and their children are not eligible. Scholarship awards are limited to one per household.
Scholarship Award Amounts:
This scholarship is named after Ann Cervantes, a former SEIU Local 521 community and political organizer who passed away in 2016. The scholarship recognizes Ann’s contributions to the labor movement and provides 10 winners with a one-time cash award of $1,500 each for their first year of study only. These one-time cash awards are for students who will begin school in the Fall of 2026.
Application Timeline Extended
Applications must be received by midnight on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. The application form may be downloaded by clicking here or complete online. For more information, email scholarship@seiu521.org or call Liane Mazzella at (559) 447-2574.
Scholarship Links & Application:
To download & print the application, click here.
To download & print the flyer, click here.
SEIU College Benefits
Spread the word at your worksite!
Flyers: English | Spanish
Earn your College Associate Degree or Certificate online for free.
With the SEIU Free College Benefit, eligible SEIU members and their families can earn an Associate Degree or Certificate online without having to pay for tuition, fees, or e-books. Find out more here.
Flyers: English | Spanish
Making college affordable and convenient for every SEIU Member!
SEIU has partnered with Southern New Hampshire University to offer the College for America programs to our members, with low-cost tuition. Find out more here.
Check the additional SEIU education programs such as the loan forgiveness program.
API Caucus Scholarship
API scholarships are open to SEIU 521 API Caucus members in good standing and/or their children. All scholarship submissions must be for the academic year awarded. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the Fall of 2024. Scholarships will be granted without regard to the sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability of any applicant. Scholarships are limited to one per household. Applications are available starting March 1, 2024. Application with essay must be received in the union office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024. Click here for application. Mail to: SEIU Local 521, 5228 E. Pine Ave., Fresno, CA 93727. Scholarship Award Amounts: This scholarship provides winners with a one-time cash award of $500 each.
Union Plus Scholarships
“Unions believe strongly in education, that’s why we continue our 25 year commitment to funding college scholarships to help union families achieve their dreams.”
– MITCH STEVENS, Union Plus President
More information and application.
Union Plus also offers a free college program.
Associate Degree