Relevant to: students, faculty, staff.

Introduction

The following information pertains to AFL-CIO affiliated union members and retirees (their spouse and dependents) who are admitted as new undergraduate students to Empire State beginning in the fall 2 term of 2023 as participants of the Union Plus College Program. For more information, visit the program page (https://www.sunyempire.edu/union-plus).

Student/Grant-Applicant FAQs

1. What is Union Plus?
   • Union Plus is a not-for-profit organization founded by the AFL-CIO to provide benefit programs exclusively to (current and retired) union members and their families.
2. What is the Union Plus College Program at SUNY Empire?
   • Union Plus and SUNY Empire State University have partnered to extend access to high-quality, flexible, and affordable higher education to AFL-CIO affiliated (current and retired) union members and their families throughout the U.S. Through the Union Plus College Program, participants can enroll in undergraduate (I.e., Associate and Bachelor) degrees at SUNY Empire.
3. What is the Union Plus College Program benefit at SUNY Empire?
   • AFL-CIO affiliated union members who enroll as new, undergraduate student starting in Fall 2 in 2023 and verify their union membership will be eligible for the following benefits:
     • $50 Application fee waived.
     • $700 Prior Learning Assessment fee waived.
     • The College Plus Grant reduces undergraduate tuition per credit to $250.
     • Access to high-quality, flexible, and affordable education to union members and their families.
4. How do I apply to the Union Plus College Program at SUNY Empire?
   • Become an undergraduate student at SUNY Empire. Once admitted, submit a grant application online.
5. How do I apply for the Union Plus Grant at SUNY Empire?
   • Admitted undergraduate students who wish to receive this benefit must complete the Union Plus Grant application online to verify union membership and establish eligibility.
6. Who is eligible for the Union Plus College Program at SUNY Empire?
   • AFL-CIO affiliated union members and retirees (their spouse and dependents) who are admitted as new undergraduate students to Empire State beginning in the fall 2 term of 2023.
   • A limited number of grants is available to AFL-CIO affiliated union members who are already current undergraduate students at Empire State as of the summer term of 2023.
7. What programs can I enroll for through Union Plus College Program at SUNY Empire?
   • Students who verify their union membership and are deemed eligible, can use the tuition grant benefit toward any of our 120+ undergraduate degree programs (I.e., associate and bachelor’s degrees).  This grant cannot be used toward tuition for graduate-level degrees (I.e., master and doctoral degrees).
8. I am interested in benefiting from this program, whom do I contact with questions?
   • Visit our program page at https://www.sunyempire.edu/union-plus/
   • Email us at unionplus@sunyempire.edu.
   • If you are a new incoming student, contact your designated recruiter for details about this opportunity.
   • If you are a returning student, contact the 1Stop Center with eligibility information via phone at 1-800-847-3000
9. Can I benefit from this program if I entered the University prior to Fall 2 of 2023?
   • A limited number of grants are available to students who joined Empire prior to Fall 2 in 2023. Submit the grant application to verify eligibility.
10. What do I need to apply for the grant?
    • A simple online application will collect information about you as the student, the qualifying union member in your household (yourself, your parent, or your spouse), and a local union representative who can verify the good standing union membership for you or your family member.
11. What should I tell my local union representative about this verification process?
    • Before adding your local union representative to your grant application, make them aware you intend to pursue an undergraduate degree at SUNY Empire and that you would like list them as the union representative to verify your (or your family’s) union membership in good standing.Once you add them, your union representative will receive an email from Empire with details to complete a brief verification form online.Your union representative will create an account on our grant portal and answer a few questions.
    • Your union representative will not have access to your personal/academic information other than your name. Please make sure your union representative is aware they will be receiving a request to verify your (or your parent/spouse) union membership.
12. Will I need to reapply for the grant every term?
    • No, re-verification of union membership will only be needed on an annual basis. The Office of Partnerships will contact you once verification is needed again for you.
13. What is the deadline to apply for the grant?
    • For more information about deadlines, visit our program page or email us at unionplus@sunyempire.edu.
14. What is the code to apply?
    • ECUNION
    • This code waives the application/orientation fee.