(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Local Unions affiliated with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) will give graduating seniors a good start in their pursuit of higher education, donating roughly $3 million statewide for college scholarships during ceremonies this weekend.

As a way to address the Teacher shortage, many NYSUT Locals are offering these scholarships to students seeking a degree in education.

Every year, Educators get creative to raise money through dress-down days, pizza parties, car washes, plant sales and other events - and, each year, they help thousands of students get their degrees.

“Educators don’t stop caring about their students once they graduate high school,” NYSUT President Melinda Person said. “They work hard and often spend their own dollars to give kids every advantage they can as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT), NYSUT’s Local representing New York City Educators, awarded $1,000,000 in scholarships to nearly 200 high-achieving high school seniors and 12 college graduates.

On Long Island, NYSUT Educators in Nassau and Suffolk Counties contributed more than $500,000, while in the lower Hudson Valley, locals raised more than $300,000.

In Western New York, Locals raised another $300,000 and in the Mid-Hudson Region, Locals collected roughly $100,000.

About 90% of NYSUT Locals offer annual scholarships to graduating seniors and other deserving students.

NYSUT represents 700,000 Members in education, human services and health care.

NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: https://www.nysut.org/news/2023/june/scholarships