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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.

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.

2021 Scholarship Application Package
College advisor letter
Student welcome letter
Scholarship application
Scholarship application instructions

What's New

Winners ready to make ‘world a better place’

Article
More than 180 city public high school seniors and graduate students were honored this year with Shanker Scholarship Awards. The union-funded awards provide almost $1 million to high-achieving students from low-income families annually.

Shanker Scholarship winners aim to make ‘world a better place’

Article
The UFT awarded more than $1 million to academically excellent and financially eligible city public high school seniors and graduate students this year.

UFT celebrates Albert Shanker Scholarship Award winners

Article
In spite of the challenges presented by COVID-19, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has recognized more than 180 students from New York City’s public high schools and presented each with a $5,000 Albert Shanker college scholarship.

Photo Gallery

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: Na

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

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

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 tal

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 pa

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 Micha

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,

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

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 Repres

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

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.

Cameras click as scholarship winners enter the hall.

Jonathan Fickies
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Smiles all around from the winning quartet from the HS for Arts and Business: Na

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

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

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 tal

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 pa

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 Micha

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,

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

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 Repres

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

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.

Cameras click as scholarship winners enter the hall.

Jonathan Fickies
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