Page 19 - Work Force July-August 2021

A life-changing opportunity from your union
AFSCME Free College
Benefit program helps
union members advance
Bachelor’s Degree Program for
AFSCME Families
AFSCME Bachelor’s Degree Completion is available to c
s
s
s
d
t
T C A S w t p
Zero Out-of-Pocket Costs
Members and their families can earn a bachelor’s degree online completely free. A last-dollar scholarship
urrent and active retiree union members, their pouses, domestic partners, children (including tepchildren and children-in-law), financial dependents, iblings, parents, and grandchildren. Family members
covers tuition, fees, and e-books for any amount not covered by a student's federNalOgraWntsEorNtuRitioOn LLING assistance from your employer.
o NOT
ne
ed
to
be financial dependents or living with
Bachelor's Degrees Offered
Free
BCAOCMHPELLEOTRI ’S DEGREE
he member to be eligible. All courses are 100% online.
Central State University (CSU) in Ohio is now offering
he Bachelor's Degree completion program, called
five degree completion options in partnership with
areer Plus at CSU, is for students who have earned an ssociate degree or 60 credit hours with 2.2 GPA.
tuden
ts who
have n
ot met t
hat th
resh
old ca
n be
gin
education, education intervention specialist, criminal
ON PROGRAM
AFSCME: business administration, early childhood
justice and interdisciplinary studies/humanities (for
ith the AFSCME Free College program at EGCC and #137-20 people who have earned previous college credit in a
hen transfer into the Bachelor’s Degree Completion
AFSCME Bachelor’s Degree Completion vAalrilectyoouf srusbejesctaareas1)0. 0% online. The
rogram at CSU.
is availabFlreeteo bcuarcrheentloarn’sd dacetgivree for youBacnhdeloyro’suDr efagrmeeilycomepmletbioenrsp!rogram, Almost 1,400 people have taken advantage of this free,
retiree union meAmlbifer-sc,hthaenigr isnpgouospesp,ortucnailtleydfrCoamreeyroPulursuantiCoSnU, is for
entral State University is Regionally
flexible opportunity through the bachelor’s degree
domestic partners, children (including students who have earned an Associate
ccreBdiatcehdelor’s Degree Program for Zero Out-of-Pocket Costs
stepchildren and children-in-law), degree or 60 credit hours with 2.2
AFSCME Families Members and their families can earn a bachelor’s
Just like the free associate degree through AFSCME finAaFnScCiMaElBdaechpeelonr’sdDengrtese,Csoimbpllientiognsis,pavairlaebnletso, GdePgrAee.oSntliunedceomnptlsetewlyhfreoe.hAalavste-donllaortscmholeartshtiphat
FSCME has partnered with Central State University
Free College, the bachelor’s degree program is
CSU), a regionally accredited public, non-profit ancdurgrernat and cachtiivledrreteirnee.uFnaiomn mileymbmerse,mthebirers do
tchovreersstuhitoionld, fecesa,nandbe-bgoionkswforitahnytahmeounAt FnoStCME conducted exclusively online, making it tailor-made for
niversity near Dayton, OH. Credits you earn can spouses, domestic partners, children (including
NOT need to be financial dependents
Free College program at EGCC and then
ransfer to other schools.
stepchildren and children-in-law), financial dependents,
those who work full time.
assistance from your employer.
transfer into the Bachelor’s Degree
or living with the member to be eligible.
siblings, parents, and grandchildren. Family members do NOT need to be financial dependents or living with the member to be eligible. All courses are 100% online.
Completion program at CSU.
completion program.
covered by a student's federal grants or tuition
Bachelor's Degrees Offered
The Bachelor's Degree completion program, called Career Plus at CSU, is for students who have earned an Associate degree or 60 credit hours with 2.2 GPA. Students who have not met that threshold can begin with the AFSCME Free College program at EGCC and then transfer into the Bachelor’s Degree Completion program at CSU.
Central State University (CSU) in Ohio is now offering
five degree completion options in partnership with
AFSCME: business administration, early childhood
1-888-897-9671
education, education intervention specialist, criminal
justice and interdisciplinary studies/humanities (for
bachelorsdegree.afscme.org
people who have earned previous college credit in a variety of subject areas).
PENN YAN — Last year, Yates County Social Welfare Examiner Brandi Wahl was scrolling through her email when she noticed that she was eligible to enroll in a college degree program
online degree in Criminal Justice. Wahl, who is married and has six children ages 15-26, admits she was
for free. The only
stipulation was you must be a card carrying AFSCME/CSEA union member in good standing.
Wahl was compelled to find out more, and immediately filled out
an inquiry form and followed the enrollment steps. A few weeks
later, in September 2020, she began taking classes through Central State University, a regionally accredited academic institution, pursuing an
Almost 1,400 people have taken advantage of this free, flexible opportunity through the bachelor’s degree
Wahl
always academically curious and
highly motivated to succeed in life. A “My day job is working for the A
Yates County Department of Social (
Services, and my part-time job is working as a corrections officer for Schuyler County,” said Wahl. “I love public service and helping people. I already have an Associates’ Degree in Criminal Justice and was always thinking about advancing my career. Imagine my surprise when I found out about this CSEA member benefit. To think I could take online classes that have very few mandatory log-in times was something I knew I could manage. It was very appealing to me.”
“The best thing about the AFSCME
u t
C
FreeCCenotrlalleSgtaeteBUenniverfsiitypisroReggrioanmallyis it’s Accredited
and stepchildren haven’t yet taken
100 percent free for union members
completion program.
— I don’t have to pay out-of-pocket
Just like the free associate degree through AFSCME
AFSCME has partnered with Central State University
“Eventually, I would like to get
(CSU), a regionally accredited public, non-profit
Free College, the bachelor’s degree program is
for tuition, fees or e-books,” said
my Master’s Degree and be placed
university near Dayton, OH. Credits you earn can Wahtrla.n“sfTerhtoeothbeer sncheofoilst. comes with
conducted exclusively online, making it tailor-made for
membership.”
Wahl said another great aspect
to the program is extended family members are all eligible to enroll as well, although her husband, children
1-888-89—7-O9ve6O7v1ermyer bachelorsdegree.afscme.org
advantage of that perk.
in a Criminal Justice career position that suits my interests and talents,” she said. “This free college benefit program is helping me get to where I want to be.”
those who work full time.
The CSEA/AFSCME PEOPLE program is launching a $50 pre-paid debit card contest. To enter, members simply provide their name, email address and phone number. On the last day of each month, from May to October, one CSEA member will be randomly selected to win. Look for more contest information at upcoming Region and Local events, or visit our website at https://cseany.org/peoplecontest
Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality
JOIN TODAY: https://cseany.org/people or (800) 342-4146, Ext. 1404
Retiring soon?
Join the Retirees!
• Money-saving member benefits
• Representation to protect your pension and retirement benefits
• Access to insurance plans at CSEA’s low group rates
• Discounted dental and vision care programs
• Personal legal services referral network
• CSEA Retiree News
Spouses, domestic partners and retired CSEA staff are eligible to join a CSEA Retiree Local, too!
To learn more and join, visit https://cseany.org/retirees or call 800-342-4146
July-August 2021
The Work Force 19
$50 In Your Pocket Enter to Win!