Scholarships For Union Families
Union Families can have their eligible family members apply follow the links for eligibility rules and details for each opportunity:
2026 R.E. Shepherd Scholarship Fund:mailto:contactus@bacadc1.org
The Robert E. Shepherd Scholarship Fund was established in 1977 to honor one of the founding
fathers and most influential members of the Ceramic Tile Layers Union, Local 67 of Illinois. Holding
the highest position in the local union and named a Vice-President of the International Union of
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, his vision was instrumental to the growth and success of the
union movement. This scholarship continues his legacy of helping proud union families prosper.
Awards:
The R. E. Shepherd Scholarship Foundation will award four $5,000 scholarships based on academic
achievement and potential, and one $5,000 scholarship to be determined by a random drawing of all those
applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or above who did not win one of the four academic scholarships.
Eligibility:
Each candidate must be:
1. A high school senior at the time of application.
2. Provisionally accepted as a full-time student into an undergraduate degree program at an
accredited college or university.
3. A dependent child of a member in good standing of the BAC ADC 1 of IL.
Entry Requirements:
The following information is required from each candidate:
1. Official transcript of all high school records.
2. A copy of your high school’s method for calculating your GPA.
3. Official copy of ACT or SAT test results.
4. A completed application, including all required attachments listed on the last page of this
application (essays, extra-curricular activities, etc.) postmarked April 3, 2026.
Please note: Make sure all requested items are included with your application, as incomplete submittals
will not be considered.
The Union Plus Scholarship Program: https://chicagolabor.org/resources/scholarships/
Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $5.4 million to students of union families. Ranging
from $500 to $4,000, Union Plus scholarships are one-time awards for study beginning in the Fall of 2025, and students
may re-apply each year.
You can apply online at the Union Plus website at: www.unionplus.org/scholarships
The application deadline is Friday, January 31, 2026 at Noon.
The William A. Lee Memorial Scholarship from the Chicago Federation of Labor
The William A. Lee Memorial Scholarship will once again be awarded to 10 high school seniors who will be graduating in
the spring of 2025. Five academic-based scholarships and five random-drawing scholarships, valued at $2,000 each, will
be awarded.
Please contact the CFL website for further information at:
https://chicagolabor.org/resources/scholarships/
The application deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026 at 5:00PM.
The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) Scholarship: https://www.cisco.org/2025/10/15/cisco-is-accepting-2026-scholarship-applications-get-your-application-in-now/
CISCO is offering three four-year scholarships ($2,000/year) for seniors planning to attend a four-year university, and two
two-year scholarships ($1,000/year) for seniors planning to attend community college.
Please contact CISCO at (630) 472-9411 for information on the 2026 application process.
The application deadline is Friday, February 13, 2026