The Union Plus Scholarship awards are presented annually to union members or members of their families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.6 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. More than 4,000 families have benefited from their commitment to higher education.

Eligibility: Current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses, and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations). At least one year of continuous union membership by the applicant, applicant’s spouse or parent (if applicant is a dependent). The one-year membership minimum must be satisfied by May 31 of the scholarship year. See more details on eligibility at https://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/union-plus-scholarships.

Evaluation Criteria: This is a competitive scholarship. Applicants are evaluated according to academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of labor. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended. The required essays can account for up to half your total score. Scholarship applicants are judged by a committee of impartial post-secondary educators.

Application Timeline: Applications are available starting in mid-June, and a complete application must be received on or before 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Eastern Standard Time on January 31st of the scholarship year. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

Scholarship Award Amounts: Amounts range from $500 to $4,000. These one-time cash awards are for study beginning in the Fall of the following year. Students may re-apply each year.

Submit your application before January 31 at

Read about the 2025 Union Plus Scholarship winner!

The 2025 Union Plus Scholarship winner was a Member of Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs Law Enforcement Associates, I.U.P.A. Local 27. Mr. Steve Johnson was awarded $2,000 to use for his studies for his future career (after retiring from law enforcement) as a full-time drug and alcohol counselor.

Deputy Johnson is enrolled in the HCC substance use disorder professional Associate of Arts online program and expects to graduate in March 2028. He has been a law enforcement officer since 1999, currently as a deputy for the King County [Washington] Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). He is a married father of four children and grateful I.U.P.A. member. He plans to retire from law enforcement within five years and transition to help with running the First Responder Intensive Outpatient Program at a local substance abuse treatment center. His motivation for the next stage of his career is deeply personal as he has been working on self-improvement for five years. “I am a staunch advocate for first responders who are looking to battle their demons and work toward a life of wellness,” he stated. “Life is good now, and I am healthy again. I have become a champion for those in the first responder community who can’t advocate for themselves. I look forward to working full time as a drug and alcohol counselor when I retire from law enforcement in a few years.”

Since late 2020, Deputy Johnson has been a call taker with Code 4 NW, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that provides behavioral health resources for first responders and their family members in Washington State. Code 4 NW Operations Director Nick Bauer, a retired Seattle Police sergeant, said that Deputy Johnson is a classic example of someone who faced substantial challenges from repeated exposure to trauma. “About five years ago, Steve contacted Code 4 to request help,” Bauer said. “I have a term — student of recovery — that I use to describe clients who jump headfirst into recovery and follow all necessary steps to get back to a healthy and productive person. Steve is an ‘A’ student of recovery. Now, he is one of our most valued assets as an advanced needs advisor, trainer, and follow-up companion. I consider him one of our most dedicated volunteers and am happy to see him pursuing a higher level of ability to help his cohorts find a similarly successful path to recovery. Steve will be a strong advocate for first responder wellness and recovery for decades into the future.”

The International joins with Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs Law Enforcement Associates, I.U.P.A. Local 27, and all of the I.U.P.A. to congratulate this inspiring and impressive law enforcement professional on this auspicious accomplishment.