We're helping union families reach their education goals without breaking the budget! With affordable, online options for certificates, associate, bachelor's and graduate degrees, plus annual scholarship awards, Union Plus is here to help your union family reach its education goals. Click here for more details. (Union Plus)
Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.9 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Current and retired members of LFT, their spouses, and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations) are eligible to apply for the Union Plus scholarship. At least one year of continuous union membership is required before applying. Applications are available starting in mid-June, and a complete application must be received on or before 11:00 a.m. (Central Time) on January 31st of the scholarship year. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Click here for more details. (Union Plus)
Robert G. Porter Scholars Program
This program offers four 4-year, $8,000 post-secondary scholarships to students who are dependents of AFT members, as well as 10 one-time $1,000 grants to AFT members. Grants can be used for continuing education and also for implementing programs or introducing tools in the classroom, workplace and/or community. Application window is Dec. 1 - March 31. All scholarship winners will be notified by June 30. Click here for more details. (AFT-specific)
Summer: Simplifying Student Debt
Through AFT's exclusive partnership with the Summer Student Loan Program, members are eligible for a free program that can help guide you through the confusing process of repaying (or not repaying) student loans. Based on your income, you could qualify for lower monthly payments—even down to $0 if you’re out of work. This program will guide you through checking your eligibility and enrolling for an Income-Driven Repayment plan or completing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employment Certification Form. Already in IDR and need to recertify? You can do that with Summer too. Get the help you need with your student loans, for FREE! Click here for more details. (AFT-specific)
As a union, we are fighting to make college affordable and student debt manageable. However, 45 million people in the United States are saddled with student loan debt. We offer ways to help our members and affiliates. Student debt clinics are 90-minute programs that situate the experience of borrowers in the midst of a national student debt crisis and empower them to manage their student debt by giving them information on free federal programs that may lower their monthly payments and lead to their loans being forgiven. Jefferson Federation of Teachers and Red River United both hosted Student Debt Clinics for their members. To bring a clinic to your Local, please contact your Local leadership. Click here for more information about the clinics. (AFT-specific)
AFT Teach is a biennial Conference with educators from across the country. This unique professional learning conference celebrates, inspires and supports educators in the work that lies ahead. The conference addresses educators need for in-depth, hands-on experiences that provide them with concrete strategies, tools and materials they can use in the classroom to meet students’ needs. If you are interested in attending AFT Teach, please contact your Local leadership. Click here for more details about the members-only conference. (AFT-specific)
AFT and Google have partnered to offer a deep discount for AFT members only on the cost of the Google Certified Educator Exam. Google’s Tools for Educators include training on how to achieve a paperless classroom, bring meetings online, organize activities, teach online skills to students, build interactive lessons, and more! If you have completed Google’s free on-line education for using Google tools in the classroom and just want to take the exam to get certified? AFT members get up to 75% off exam costs.
Visit the AFT Members Only site to access the discount codes when registering for the exam.
Google Teacher Center Training
How do I access these benefits?
- To redeem Union Plus discounts, register and log into your Union Plus Abenity account here.
- AFT-specific discounts can be accessed through your AFT account? Login here.
- Don't have an AFT account? Go here to register. Once you are registered you can sign in at the member benefits login page.
- Note: you will need your AFT member ID (found on your membership card) to set up your AFT account. If you do not have your member ID, please request it by filling out this form.