SDEA Scholarships Process

Did you know that there are college scholarships available for SDEA members and their dependents?

Every year, our union proudly offers scholarships to support the educational goals of members and their families. There are specific applications for high school students beginning college or continuing college dependents of SDEA members, and for SDEA members pursuing education to enhance their career as educators. This year’s deadline for submission is Friday, May 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. PST.

Get the full details and access the application forms here!

Who decides who gets a scholarship?

Each year, the SDEA Scholarship Committee (a group of members appointed by the SDEA Board) takes on the important task of reviewing applications. Lisa Steinberg, the SDEA staff liaison, receives all submissions and preps them for review before handing them over to the Scholarship Committee:

• All identifying information is removed to keep the process fair and anonymous.
• Reviewers are carefully assigned to avoid conflicts of interest. Committee members never score applications from their own school cluster, to avoid reviewing applications from their students or colleagues.
• Every application is reviewed by at least two committee members using a consistent scoring rubric.The full committee then meets to review scores and determine scholarship recipients.

On average, 8 to 10 scholarships are awarded each year out of 40–50 applications received.

If you’re an SDEA member and interested in serving on the committee, reach out to Lisa Steinberg. Your union is always stronger when YOU are involved! 

How are SDEA scholarships funded?

SDEA scholarships exist through member contributions.

Much like contributions to our union’s PAC fund, scholarship donations are voluntary and separate from regular union dues. These scholarship fund contributions are one small way that our union solidarity can make higher education more accessible, in a system where the high cost of college makes it inaccessible to many.

Are you already contributing to the SDEA scholarship fund? You can make a difference by authorizing a monthly donation online via DocuSign, or by downloading a printable form here. Member generosity helps students and educators pursue their dreams, and builds our collective solidarity!