2026 DC 37 Overcoming Obstacles Scholarship Application

2026 DC 37 Overcoming Obstacles Scholarship

Application
DC 37 Overcoming Obstacles Scholarship Guidelines

Eligibility Requirements

The applicant must be either (a) a graduating high school senior; or (b) currently enrolled in their first or second year of a 2-year or 4-year accredited college, university, technical or trade school during the specified school year who has a learning or physical disability. Active DC 37 members are ineligible for this scholarship. Additionally, the applicant's parent, grandparent or legal guardian must be a union member in good standing for the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the application deadline. If the parent, grandparent or legal guardian is a retiree, he or she must be a member in good standing with the DC 37 Retirees Association.

The applicant must be accepted at an accredited institution, located in the United States, at the time of award. While not required to be submitted with the scholarship application, no awards will be distributed until a current bursar's receipt from the accredited college or university has been provided to the committee.

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online by Friday, May 29, 2026. Please double check that you have included all of the items requested in the Application Checklist. Once you begin, you will not be able to save your progress on this application to come back and complete it at a later date and you may only submit your application ONCE.

Short Essay Instructions

Two typed essays, written by the applicant, of no more than 250 words each. You will be required to upload each essay as part of your application. Specific essay topics are listed further in the application.

Scholarship Scoring

Scholarship applications will be scored based on the following criteria:
- Academic Achievement (15%)
- Extracurricular Activities and Leadership (10%)
- Academic and Professional Goals/Plans (10%)
- Recommendation Form (15%)
- Short Essays (50%)
Deadlines and Important Dates

Reminder that applications must be submitted online by Friday, May 29, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be notified via email no later than June 12th, 2026.

For additional information, please visit us online, email us at scholarships@dc37.net, or call 212-815-1700.

Application Checklist

Before you begin filling out this application, make sure you have the following items:
Double check that you have each item of the checklist, as specified. Please pay particular attention to the essay requirements. All items must be scanned and uploaded as part of your application submission

Two (2) typed essays, written by the applicant, of no more than 250 words that answers each of the listed essay topics (refer to the Essay Topics section of this application).First name, last name and email address of a non-friend/non-family member who will provide a recommendation on your behalfProof of parent, grandparent or legal guardian’s current union membership or retiree status (i.e. job ID, paycheck, prescription drug card)Copy of applicant’s birth certificateOfficial student transcript or report card issued by an accredited institutionProof of acceptance or current enrollment (for the Fall 2026 semester) in an accredited 2-year or 4-year accredited college, university, technical or trade school located in the United StatesProof of learning or physical disability

Essay Topics and Instructions

Information on the required essay as part of your application. In no more than 250 words, answer each of the essay prompts below and be sure to upload both essays as part of your application.
Essay Prompt #1

Describe your relationship with the union and the labor movement. In what ways has it personally affected your life and your family's life?

Because this is a union scholarship, we are looking for your own knowledge of unions and the labor movement. Although it may be included, please do not simply recite typical labor history. Write about personal stories and experiences. You may not be a union member, but are the children or grandchildren of union members. Talk with union family members (parents, grandparents, etc.) and ask them about their experiences in the union. Relate personal stories and experiences on how being in a union has made a difference in their life and consequently, your life.
Essay Prompt #2

Describe how you overcame an obstacle in your life. How did it affect you and what lessons did you learn?
REMINDER

You will upload both essays as part of your application. Make sure the essays are typed and not hand written.

Applicant Information

Please be sure to answer all questions
I attest that I am currently a high school senior, scheduled to graduate this Spring and enroll in college/university/technical school/trade school this Fall semester or that I am currently enrolled in a college/university/technical school/trade school for the upcoming Fall semester*

YesNo
I attest that I have a parent, grandparent or legal guardian that is a current union member or has DC 37 retiree status (You will have to provide a copy of their job ID, paycheck, prescription drug card, etc.)*

YesNo
Applicant Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Applicant Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applicant Email*
example@example.com
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Are you currently a high school senior or are you currently enrolled in a 2-year/4-year college/university/technical school/trade school?*

Current High School SeniorCurrently enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college/university/technical school/trade school
High School currently attending*
Current GPA*
Expected Graduation Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Full Name and Address: Full name and address of the college, university, community college, technical or trade school to which you have been accepted and plan to attend or are currently enrolled.
College/University/Technical School/Trade School attending this Fall*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Current GPA*
Expected Graduation Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Honors and Awards
Provide information on up to 3 of the most significant special honors, awards or certificates you have received in or out of school. Include dates and describe why each award is important to you. If you do not have any awards to list, then simply type in N/A.*

Word count limit of 3000/300
Activities
Provide information on up to 5 of your most meaningful activities (including jobs, volunteer work, community service, internships, sports or clubs). Include dates and highlight any leadership positions you have held and why these activities were meaningful to you. If you do not have any activities to list, then simply type in N/A.*

Word count limit of 5000/500
What are your educational and career goals? Briefly describe where you might want your future to lead.*

Word count limit of 3500/350
Recommendation Information

Information on a non-friend/non-family member who will provide a recommendation for you
Please provide the first name, last name and email address of an individual who will submit an online recommendation on your behalf as part of your application.

When you submit your application, the individual will receive an online recommendation form to complete. Be sure to inform the individual in advance that they will have to complete the recommendation form for you before the May 29th deadline. Also let them know the online recommendation form may end up in their Spam or Trash folder of their email account.

Recommendations received after May 29th will result in an incomplete scholarship application and will not be considered. Additionally, the recommendation received must come from the name and email address listed below or your application will not be considered.
Name of Individual Providing Recommendation*

First NameLast Name
Email of Individual Providing Recommendation*
example@example.com
Union Member Information

Information on your parent, grandparent or legal guardian
Union Member's Name*

First NameLast Name
Local*
PID# or Last 4 of SS#*
PID# can be found on your presecription or union membership card
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Document Uploads
Typed essay #1, written by the applicant*

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Typed essay #2, written by the applicant*

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Proof of parent, grandparent or guardian's current union membership or retiree status *

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Birth Certificate*

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Official School Transcript or Report Card*

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College Acceptance Letter or Proof of Enrollment for Fall 2026 Semester*

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Proof of Learning or Physical Disability*

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I CERTIFY THAT ALL STATEMENTS OR INFORMATION I HAVE PROVIDED ABOVE ARE TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. ANY DELIBERATE MISREPRESENTATION FOUND IN THIS APPLICATION MAY BE CAUSE FOR THE REJECTION OF THIS APPLICATION AND MAY PROHIBIT ME FROM APPLYING AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
Name of Applicant*

First NameLast Name
Applicant's Signature*
Date Signed by Applicant*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

2026 DC 37 Overcoming Obstacles Scholarship

Application Checklist

Essay Topics and Instructions

REMINDER

Applicant Information

Honors and Awards

Activities

Recommendation Information

Union Member Information

Document Uploads