Discounted Classes & Scholarships

Achieve your education dreams with these opportunities for UFCW members and family. UFCW Local 663 values affordable education for our members’ families. Here are some resources to find a path to higher education that works for you and your pocketbook.

UFCW Local 663 Full Ride Undergraduate Scholarship at Franklin University

UFCW members and their families can now apply to receive one of three full-ride undergraduate scholarships to Franklin University!

To see the full list of programs offered or get started on your application, follow the link below. Applications are due by May 22, 2026

https://bit.ly/4tdoYgy

UFCW Local 663 Educational Grant Application

For UFCW Local 663 Members and their dependents

UFCW Local 663 recognizes how important education is for the future growth of the young people in this country. We are again awarding education grants to our members or their dependents to further their education. The winners will receive a one-time $1000 educational grant to be applied to the verified school for tuition, book, or room and board. The only qualification is that the student will be attending a community or technical college or university. The winners will be chosen at random during the July Executive Board meeting from applications submitted. Winners will be notified in writing after drawing has taken place.

Free Language Courses

Whether it’s for travel, for work, or just for fun, UFCW’s Free Foreign Language Program offers members the ability to learn over 70 languages for free online. These online classes build on four conversational skills necessary to fully learn a new language: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar & culture.

To learn more, visit this website: https://www.ufcw.org/language/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRpyE...

Get Your GED for Free

UFCW members can take General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes for free through Essential GED. This GED program offers a customized learning plan, so that you’ll be able to successfully prepare yourself to pass the GED test, regardless of when you last went to school. This program also allows you to study at your own pace – all classes are self-guided and can be completed from your phone or tablet.

If you are interested in using this benefit, please click on the button below to fill out the form online. It may take a few days to verify your UFCW membership. However, once confirmed, you’ll receive an email that explains how to login and begin taking free online GED classes. At this time, this benefit is only available to UFCW members and retirees.

UFCW International Charity Foundation Scholarship

The UFCW is about workers coming together to build better lives for themselves. It is about creating opportunity. That is why each year the UFCW Charity Foundation awards several scholarships of up to $12,000 each to UFCW members or their unmarried dependents under the age of 20. UFCW employed officers, staff, and their immediate families are not eligible.

Past scholarship winners have gone on to make significant contributions to society and to the UFCW—entering a range of fields, including public service, medicine, law, business, and teaching. Many have returned to the UFCW as staffers, organizers, and community activists who contribute to our mission. This year the application will be available until May 24th.

Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarships

Each year, scholarships up to $2,500 are given to students enrolled in community, technical, undergraduate, or graduate studies. Students are eligible for consideration for up to two years for community, technical, and graduate studies, and up to four years or undergraduate work at a university. Applications must be postmarked by June 1.

John Rene Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship Fund

Local 663 is a Sponsor of the United Latinos and our members are eligible for the John Rene Rodriguez Memorial scholarship Fund. The John Rene Rodriguez Memorial scholarship Fund was established by the Rodriguez family and is administered through the United Latinos of U.F.C.W. The Fund benefits U.F.C.W 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.

Union Plus Scholarships

Each year, the application deadline is January 31 and chosen scholarship recipients' names are announced May 31. All applicants are notified when the award winner list is posted in early June.

Martin Duffy Scholarship

The Martin Duffy Adult Learner Scholarship is a $500 tuition scholarship awarded to Union members of Minnesota AFL-CIO (not high school graduating dependents). All scholarship funds are applicable only to accredited educational institutions. Awards will be made payable jointly to the winners and the educational institutions as indicated. Only winners will be notified. Winners must use the scholarship within one year of receipt of notification letter. The application must be postmarked no later than April 30 of the current year. Sponsored and funded by the Minnesota AFL-CIO. Please call Labor Education Service at 612-624-5020 for additional information.

Labor Leadership Grants

The Tobey Lapakko Labor Leadership Grant is available to women who are union members in good standing; the Charles McKenna Leadership Grant is available to men who are union members in good standing. Grants are available for members of affiliated unions seeking to develop their abilities and skills as union leaders. The grants help defray the cost of classes, programs or conferences sponsored or endorsed by the AFL-CIO or affiliated organizations. The Minnesota AFL-CIO Education Committee determines recipients and grant amounts. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Shields at 651-227-7647.