Oregon AFSCME and Local 2067 College Scholarships

 

The Oregon AFSCME Scholarship Committee would like to remind members and other interested individuals that early spring deadlines are approaching for the current cycle of scholarship applications. All information to be submitted to the state scholarship commission that administers most awards in Oregon must be submitted by March 1 (see details below), and there is an "early bird" deadline of Feb. 16 for one particular state scholarship.

 

The Council 75 primary scholarship fund was established in 2001 and named for Local 328 (Oregon Health & Science University) member, organizer and activist Donna Danner. The Danner scholarships are awarded annually in the amount of two $1,000 scholarships to a Council 75 member, and five $750 scholarships awarded to Council 75 members in good standing (active, laid off, retired, or disabled) or spouses (including life partners and their children), children, stepchildren or grandchildren. The $750 scholarships are renewable up to five years provided recipients meet the qualifying requirements.

 

In 2008, a scholarship was established in the name of our late sister, Cornelia Valentine Murphy, by her brother Paul Murphy. She was employed as a Political Organizer for Council 75. There will be one $500 scholarship awarded annually to an Oregon AFSCME member in good standing (active, laid off, retired, or disabled) or spouses (including life partners and their children), children, stepchildren, or grandchildren. The Murphy memorial is an endowment fund that needs donations in order to continue providing an annual scholarship. Members are urged to consider making a contribution directly to the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (see below), which administers the Murphy scholarship, or directly through Council 75 to keep the Murphy memorial award solvent and ongoing.

 

A full listing of the eligibility requirements and all application materials can be found online at www.osac.state.or.us, and clicking on http://www.getcollegefunds.org or by calling the Oregon Student Assistance Commission at (800) 452-8807 or locally in the Eugene area at (541) 687-7395. The Donna Danner scholarship is listed as AFSCME Oregon Council #75, Scholarship Code 315MX. The Cornelia Murphy Scholarship is listed as Murphy – Cornelia Valentine Murphy Memorial, Scholarship Code 500MX.

 

There is a required brief essay question: "What is the importance of organizing political action and contract bargaining for workers?"

 

Applicants must also file an Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. As mentioned above, all application materials and attachments must be postmarked or hand-delivered Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. no later than March 1, 2010 to Oregon Student Assistance Commission, 1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 100, Eugene, OR 97401-2148.

 

Also, please remember that there is a "Scholarships" tab in the Main Menu of the Oregon AFSCME website that lists this and further information year-round on all union-related scholarship opportunities.

AFSCME Local 2067 will be awarding two $1000 college scholarships.

One $1000 scholarship to a graduating High School senior and one $1000 scholarship to a currently enrolled college student.

Apply with Oregon Student Assistance Commission at www.osac.state.or.us

as described above.   Deadline to apply is March 1, 2010.  Selection of recipient will be May or June, 2010