Since the International launched the UFCW Free College Benefit two years ago, thousands of members and their families have taken advantage of this amazing opportunity to achieve their academic goals online through Eastern Gateway Community College with no out of pocket costs or need for loans. Now, as part of the UFCW’s Free College Awareness Campaign, the International is coordinating with the Student Resource Center, which administers the UFCW Free College Benefit, to send speakers to local steward meetings to help spread the word about this program.
Over the last year, UFCW Locals 75, 152, 328, 371, 464A, 655, 700, 919, 1360 and 1459 have participated in this campaign by having a speaker from the Student Resource Center give 30-minute presentation about the UFCW Free College Benefit at their steward meetings. The presentation will walk you through the details of your union’s partnership with Eastern Gateway Community College, a fully accredited institution that is part of the Ohio university system. The presentation will also include additional information about the program, such as the no out of pocket cost component, the degree programs available to members and your family, who in your family is eligible to participate, the college’s staff and instructors, and how the Student Resource Center can help you get started.
“As the explosive growth of this program underscores the demand for high quality education for working adults, we will continue to expand these degrees for you,” said Tim Ryan, vice president of benefit relations at the Student Resource Center.
In addition to presentations at steward meetings and other events, speakers from the Student Resource Center are also available to participate in local conference calls.
“What a great union benefit! As a union leader, I am proud that our union can offer such an amazing benefit to our members and their families. This alone should be a reason for workers to join our union family, ” said UFCW Local 919 President Mark A. Espinosa.
“Having Tim Ryan from the Student Resource Center speak at our steward seminar really helped kickstart the UFCW Free College Benefit interest to another level,” said Mike Thompson, who is the communications director and union representative at UFCW Local 152. “Tim is an expert on the program and everyone came away from his presentation with a much better understanding on how the benefit works. If your local has the opportunity to have Tim or anyone else from the Student Resource Center speak to your business agents or stewards, you should take advantage of it.”
If your local is interested in having a speaker from the Student Resource Center present at one of your local meetings or events, contact Tim Ryan at tryan@student-resource.org.
You can learn more information about the UFCW Free College Benefit here.
