Funds & Scholarships

About the scholarship
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The John Rene Rodriguez Memorial scholarship Fund was established by the Rodriguez family and is administered through the United Latinos of UFCW. The Fund benefits UFCW members and their dependents that pursue a higher education and need financial assistance to pursue those goals.

The Scholarship Fund will award one (1) academic scholarship annually at a minimum of $1,000. This scholarship will be distributed to the College, University, Trade School or Institution of higher education during the first school semester.

We honor the memory of John Rene Rodriguez by supporting and empowering Union Members in higher education. As a Union Representative for Local 540 and a Vice President of the United Latinos of UFCW, it is a fitting tribute to him that the labor movement honors his memory through education and the pursuit of academic excellence. John Rene’s commitment and calling was to advance the cause and programs that helped support the advancement of the Union and its members.

Eligibility requirements‍

• Applicant must be a son, daughter, grandchild or dependent of an active UFCW and UFCW United Latinos member.
  
• The applicant's UFCW / UFCW United Latinos parent, grandparent or guardian must have been an active member and in good standing for the twelve (12) months prior to the time of application.
  
• Applicant must be a high school graduate with at least a 2.5 grade point average to be validated by submitting a copy of transcripts.
• Admitted to attend a accredited College, University, Trade School (i.e. Cosmetology, Technical), or Institution of Higher Education.
• All applicants must submit a five hundred (500) word essay describing how the Union has affected them and/or their families and the role the labor movement has played in their lives.

How to apply‍

• Complete the online application form (review the printable application form to know what information you will need to gather)
  
• Submit a five hundred (500) word essay describing how the Union has affected you and/or your family and the role the labor movement has played in your life (applicants may submit their essay through the online application form)
  

About the fund

A fund to support UFCW members who become New American Citizens

The New American Citizenship Fund is made possible by UFCW local union support to the United Latinos of the UFCW. The Award is for UFCW members who have recently become U.S. citizens and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to building a stronger voice for workers in their Union and in their community through active engagement in advancing social and economic justice. 

The United Latinos of the UFCW has created a special fund that will distribute awards in the amount of $600.00 per member. The New American Citizenship Fund is open to all UFCW members and will renew every year pending a vote from the United Latinos Board. 

Eligibility requirements‍

• Applicants must be UFCW members in good standing at the time of the application and commit to becoming active participants in their Union and in their communities. 
  
• Applicants must agree to provide a minimum of ten (10) volunteer hours to a project, program, or campaign as designated by the sponsoring UFCW Local Union. 
  
• Applicants must agree to have a testimony and photo of themselves used in UFCW United Latinos communications (applicants will be asked to sign a media release)
  
• UFCW members applying for the New American Citizenship Fund must provide a copy of their naturalization certificate and proof of payment to USCIS dated on or after January 1, 2022. 
• Applicants must provide a sponsor letter from their UFCW Local Union President

How to apply‍

To apply, you will need to complete our online application form, which is available both in English and Spanish.

Here's a checklist of the documents you will need to have ready to submit as part of your application:

• Sponsor letter from Local Union President
  - You can use this template
  - Letter must include: UFCW Union letterhead, the number of years you've been a member, signature from UFCW Local President
  
• Copy of Naturalization Certificate 
  
• Proof of payment to USCIS
  - Must be one of: bank statement OR money order OR proof of submission
• A photo of yourself