UFT Scholarship Fund

The Albert Shanker College Scholarship Fund of the United Federation of Teachers

Each year, the United Federation of Teachers proudly awards $1 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to academically excellent and financially eligible students from New York City public schools. Scholarship winners are living proof that excellence can thrive in New York City schools. Their hard work — and the dedication of all the educators who worked with them — enable them to achieve academic distinction.

New for 2022: Apply online

You can create an account on our new portal to submit your application.

A user name must be an email address
Passwords must be at least 8 characters and must
include alpha, numeric and special characters
Students only need to create an account once

Additional information

Frequently asked questions »

Who can apply?
What about financial eligibility?
How are winners selected?
How are the scholarships paid?
And more…

More information about the scholarship and its namesake »

Check out our Resources page for other financial aid and scholarship information.

2022 Scholarship Application Package
College advisor letter
Student welcome letter
Scholarship application
Scholarship application instructions
Scholarship rules

What's New

High school seniors may apply for Shanker scholarships

NY Teacher Article You Should Know December 16, 2021

Make sure high school seniors apply for the UFT’s $5,000 Albert Shanker college scholarships. This year the application deadline is Feb. 28, 2022.

Heading out to change the world

NY Teacher Article Around the UFT June 17, 2021

The UFT presented $5,000 Albert Shanker College Scholarships to 134 public high school students and eight graduate students on June 2 at the 52nd annual Albert Shanker Scholarship celebration, held virtually on Zoom.

High school seniors may apply for Shanker scholarships

NY Teacher Article You Should Know December 17, 2020

High school seniors have until Dec. 31 to apply for the UFT’s $5,000 Albert Shanker college scholarships.

Photo Gallery

May 14, 2019

Albert Shanker Scholarship Awards 2019

The UFT presented scholarships to 180 seniors from public high schools throughout the city and to eight graduate students at a reception and ceremony at union headquarters on May 14. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the union’s annual $1 million scholarship awards celebration.

Smiles all around from the winning quartet from the HS for Arts and Business: Nayeli Moronta (left), Arianna Carriel (second from left) and Chante Parker (second from right) and Mariya Asher (right), standing with their proud teacher David Yam (center).

Jonathan Fickies

AP biology teacher Isabel Hernandez spotted William Cullen Bryant HS senior Ryan Afreen’s talent right away.

Jonathan Fickies

New Utrecht HS twins Rabia (left) and Rimsha Ansar not only look alike, but they also share the same dream of becoming doctors.

Jonathan Fickies

Newcomers HS winner Minghuang Wang and school counselor Marie Theodoropoulou talk things over with UFT Queens High Schools Representative James Vasquez.

Jonathan Fickies

Manhattan Academy for Arts & Language Principal Siv Boletsis (top, right) and paraprofessional Nellie Turken are on hand to support winners Odris Infante and Madelyne Perez (right).

Jonathan Fickies

The all-girl winner’s circle from Staten Island is joined by UFT President Michael Mulgrew (left), Staten Island Borough Representative Analia Gerard and Special Representative Donna Coppola.

Jonathan Fickies

Brooklyn winners fill the staircase joined by President Michael Mulgrew (top, left) and Brooklyn Borough Representative Elizabeth Perez (top, right).

Jonathan Fickies

Females ruled in the Bronx, too, with support from President Mulgrew and (center) Bronx Borough Representative Mary Atkinson.

Jonathan Fickies

Queens winners line up with President Mulgrew (top right), Queens Borough Representative Amy Arundell (front row, second from right) and Queens High School Representative James Vasquez (back row).

Jonathan Fickies

Ahmad Malik of Aviation Career and Technical Education HS waves to family as UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds introduces him.

Jonathan Fickies

Cameras click as scholarship winners enter the hall.

Jonathan Fickies

AP biology teacher Isabel Hernandez spotted William Cullen Bryant HS senior Ryan Afreen’s talent right away.

Jonathan Fickies

New Utrecht HS twins Rabia (left) and Rimsha Ansar not only look alike, but they also share the same dream of becoming doctors.

Jonathan Fickies

Newcomers HS winner Minghuang Wang and school counselor Marie Theodoropoulou talk things over with UFT Queens High Schools Representative James Vasquez.

Jonathan Fickies

Manhattan Academy for Arts & Language Principal Siv Boletsis (top, right) and paraprofessional Nellie Turken are on hand to support winners Odris Infante and Madelyne Perez (right).

Jonathan Fickies

The all-girl winner’s circle from Staten Island is joined by UFT President Michael Mulgrew (left), Staten Island Borough Representative Analia Gerard and Special Representative Donna Coppola.

Jonathan Fickies

Brooklyn winners fill the staircase joined by President Michael Mulgrew (top, left) and Brooklyn Borough Representative Elizabeth Perez (top, right).

Jonathan Fickies

Females ruled in the Bronx, too, with support from President Mulgrew and (center) Bronx Borough Representative Mary Atkinson.

Jonathan Fickies

Queens winners line up with President Mulgrew (top right), Queens Borough Representative Amy Arundell (front row, second from right) and Queens High School Representative James Vasquez (back row).

Jonathan Fickies

Ahmad Malik of Aviation Career and Technical Education HS waves to family as UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools Janella Hinds introduces him.

Jonathan Fickies

Cameras click as scholarship winners enter the hall.

Jonathan Fickies