INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 24 — Each year, the BLET National Division compiles a list of scholarship opportunities available to the children of BLET members. Numerous financial aid opportunities are published below in the 2023 BLET Scholarship Directory.
The following comprehensive list provides members and their families with contact information for each scholarship program. The BLET National Division does not maintain its own scholarship program, nor does it oversee or otherwise play any role in the administration of any programs included in this Directory. Interested parties are advised to contact the scholarship providers for additional information.
Those aware of additional scholarship opportunities not included in this Directory are urged to contact the BLET Public Relations Department at: Bentley@ble-t.org.
The 2023 BLET Scholarship Directory is as follows:
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James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) is now accepting applications, and the deadline is March 1, 2023.
All applications must be completed through the online portal on the Fund’s website: http://www.jrhmsf.org. This JRHMSF website outlines eligibility requirements and application procedures, and applicants must complete a brief registration process to access the registration area.
There are two types of scholarship applications available: Academic Scholarships, which range up to $10,000, and Training/Vocational Scholarships, which range up to $2,000. Full details and eligibility requirements for each type of scholarship are available on the JRHMSF website at the link above.
James R. Hoffa became a Teamster member in 1934 and served as General President for 14 years. In recognition of his tireless service to the union and its members, he was honored as General President Emeritus for life. At the November 1999 General Executive Board meeting, then-General Secretary-Treasurer C. Thomas Keegel presented a resolution to establish the scholarship fund. Assisting the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members with their educational goals is a tradition that we are proud to continue.
The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund is an independent organization established and registered as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund is established solely to provide scholarships to the child or dependent of a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and contributions to the Fund are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law.
For general questions about the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund, please call (855) 670-4787 or email: contactus@applyISTS.com or JRHfund@gmail.com.
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BLET Auxiliary and LECMPA Scholarship Programs
Established in 1991, the BLET Auxiliary Scholarship Program provides $1,000 in scholarships to qualifying students who wish to pursue higher education. In addition, the Auxiliary also offers two $2,500 scholarships annually in collaboration with Locomotive Engineers and Conductors Mutual Protective Association (LECMPA). The two $2,500 scholarships are fully funded by LECMPA.
To apply for an Auxiliary Scholarship, the applicant must be a son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter of a BLET Auxiliary member and a BLET member (living or deceased), each being a member for at least one year. An exception has been made for those children of single-parent BLET members with at least one year of membership in the BLET and at least one year as a BLET Auxiliary Associate Member. To qualify for the LECMPA-funded scholarships, the BLET member in the family must also be a member of LECMPA for no less than one year. Children of an unmarried BLET member who has been an Associate Member of the BLET Auxiliary for at least one year are also eligible.
Applicants must be accepted for admission by an accredited university, college, trade school, or institute of higher learning. Recipients are chosen based on academic record, leadership, character, and personal achievement.
Important: For high school seniors entering an institute of higher learning for the first time, a copy of ACT or SAT scores and a current copy of cumulative grade point average (GPA) must accompany the application. For graduate students or students returning to an institute of higher learning, a copy of last term’s (or most current) GPA must accompany the application. Applications submitted without these documents will not be considered.
The LECMPA-funded scholarships will be awarded to the two applicants who score the highest amongst those who qualify (by having one parent who is an Auxiliary member for at least one year, and one parent who is a BLET member and LECMPA member for at least one year). If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements for the LECMPA-funded scholarships but is not selected for one of the two $2,500 scholarships, he/she will still be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship.
Completed applications must be received by BLET Auxiliary Secretary Jodi Wallace by April 1, 2023. Applications received after that date will not be considered.
For questions, please contact Jodi Wallace (jwallace.bletaux@yahoo.com). Applications, instructions for scholarships, and a mailing address for submission may be found on the Auxiliary website at http://www.bletauxiliary.net .
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BLET UP-Southern Region GCA
The BLET’s Union Pacific-Southern Region General Committee of Adjustment (UP-SR GCA) offers annual scholarships ranging from $750 to $2,000. Applicants must be the son, daughter, financial dependent or ward of a UP-SR GCA member in good standing per the BLET Bylaws starting with the 2023-2024 school year. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2023. Complete rules, full eligibility requirements, and an application can be found on the UP-Southern Region GCA website: http://www.bletsr.org/scholarship.html.
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California State Legislative Board
The BLET’s California State Legislative Board is once again offering a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior attending a college/trade/vocational school, whose parent or guardian is a member in good standing with his/her BLET Division chartered in California. If interested in an application, please email Ryan.Snow@caslb.org with the subject line: “Scholarship Application,” or download from the National Division website here https://ble-t.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CA_Scholarship_2023.pdf . The deadline is May 15, 2023 to receive the application and all supporting documentation.
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Illinois State Legislative Board
The BLET’s Illinois State Legislative Board is currently accepting applications for its Don Little Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2013.
Up to three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to applicants whose parent or guardian is a BLET member in good standing with a BLET Division represented by the Illinois State Legislative Board (IL SLB). Applicants must be 26 years of age or younger.
Brother Don Little was a locomotive engineer with Metra commuter rail in Chicago and a proud member of Division 294 (Bensenville, Ill.) for 35 years. Brother Little served for more than 10 years on the Executive Committee of the IL SLB and always dreamed of establishing a scholarship program for the family members of fellow Brothers and Sisters who belonged to divisions chartered in Illinois. Unfortunately, Brother Little passed away before his dream was realized.
In 2013, The IL SLB executive board helped make Brother Little’s dream a reality.
Scholarship applications and all accompanying documents must be received by May 1, 2023. Specific eligibility requirements, detailed instructions and application forms are available for download from the BLET National Division website. https://ble-t.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023_Illinois_SLB_Scholarship.pdf.
For questions or assistance completing the application, contact Joyce A. Piekarski, Selection Committee Chairperson at (630) 963-6099 or Joyce.Piekarski@gmail.com.
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Wyoming State Legislative Board
The BLET’s Wyoming State Legislative Board (WY SLB) is again offering a scholarship program for the upcoming school year. First offered for the 2014 academic year, the scholarship deadline is June 1, 2023.
WY SLB Chairman Cory Runion said the Board will award either two $1,000 scholarships, or, in the event of a single applicant, one $1,000 scholarship each year to an immediate family member of a BLET member in good standing and holding membership in a Division chartered within the state of Wyoming. The scholarships will be awarded based on the application, along with the requested documentation, by the WY SLB scholarship committee.
Scholarship applications and all accompanying documents must be received by June 1 of each year. Specific eligibility requirements, detailed instructions and application forms are available for download from the BLET National Division website, or can be requested from your Division Legislative Representative. Currently, the BLET has nine Divisions chartered in Wyoming — Division 31 (Bill); Division 207 (Casper); Divisions 44, 103 and 115 (Cheyenne); Division 94 (Gillette); Division 869 (Greybull); Division 142 (Rawlins); and Division 624 (Sheridan).
For questions of assistance in completing the application, please contact your Division Legislative Representative.
Information and application form available at https://ble-t.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wyo_SLB_Scholarship_App.pdf .
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BLET Division 269
BLET Division 269 (Jamaica, Long Island, N.Y.) offers two $500 scholarships to the children of BLET members who are already enrolled in college. Participation is limited to members of Division 269 only.
Winners are picked at random at the Division’s Christmas party. For details, watch your Division 269’s mobile app or contact Division Vice President Michael Garziano at (516) 641-4041.
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BLET Division 622
BLET Division 622 (Alliance, Neb.) offers two $500 scholarships to the children or dependents of Division 622 members. Scholarship winners will be chosen at random during a Division meeting in August. Applications must be received by July 31, 2023. For more specifics, please visit the Division 622 website (http://www.blet622.com). You can also contact Division Secretary-Treasurer Neil Burri at nburri@blet622.com.
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BLET Division 188 Clyde Larson Memorial Scholarship
BLET Division 188 in Superior, Wisconsin, is proud to announce the third year of its scholarship program dedicated to the memory of Clyde Larson — a devoted rail, union leader, and mentor to many — whose untimely passing in 2017 left a void in the local railroad community.
Division 188 raises scholarship funds through the efforts of the Clyde Larson Memorial Scholarship (CLMS) Committee. Fundraising events are planned throughout the year and BLET members and their families are encouraged to participate (and to suggest other methods of raising funds toward this worthy cause).
Eligible applicants include the children (or children under the permanent care of) current BLET Division 188 members who are attending any post-secondary education (college, trade school, union apprenticeship program, etc.). Total monetary awards distributed will not be less than $1,000, and the number of winners is determined based on qualifying applications received. Scholarships are awarded to applicants chosen at random at Division 188’s regular meeting each August.
Applications will be emailed to all Division 188 members on the Division’s email list. Those who have not received an application by June 20, 2023, should email Division 188 Local Chairman Steven Moerke at: steven.moerke@gmail.com .
Applications must be postmarked or received by August 15, 2023, 2359 hours.
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BR&CF Scholarship Program
The Brotherhood’s Relief and Compensation Fund (BR&CF) is pleased to provide opportunities for the sons and daughters of BR&CF members to participate in the Luther G. Smith Scholarship Program.
Children, including adopted and step-children, of BR&CF members who are in “Good and Regular Standing,” are eligible. Applicants must be 27 years of age or younger. Applicants may be current high school students who have applied for admission as full-time students in accredited post-secondary schools or may be attending or enrolled as full-time students in accredited post-secondary schools.
International President Jesse Taylor advises that 20 scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded every year.
The BR&CF’s 2023 scholarship program commenced on October 1, 2022, with applications due on March 1, 2023. The scholarship application is available by visiting BR&CF’s website at http://www.brcf.org.
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Union Plus Scholarships
Union Plus awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 189 union members and union family members in the 2022 Union Plus Scholarship Program. Individual awards ranged from $500 to $4,000. The deadline is January 31 each year.
Rising education costs are making it difficult for many union families to afford the cost of tuition. That’s one reason Union Plus, which provides important consumer benefits to union members and retirees, offers a unique scholarship program. It has distributed more than $5.2 million in scholarships to over 3,600 union members and their children since 1991. Recipients are selected based on academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.
The students selected for university, college, trade or technical school scholarships represent a wide sampling of backgrounds, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments. The selection process is very competitive since Union Plus receives over 5,000 applications each year. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, supported in part by contributions from the provider of the Union Plus Credit Card. You do not need to be a Union Plus Credit Card holder to apply for this scholarship.
Visit the Union Plus website to learn more:
https://www.unionplus.org/scholarships.