To honor Nick Yovnello, former President of AFT College Council and longtime fighter for workers’ rights and expanded educational access, the AFTNJ awards one scholarship of $1,000 to an eligible student activist who demonstrates a commitment to fight for social and economic justice. This scholarship is to encourage and acknowledge the next generation.

Scholarship Eligibility
• The AFTNJ Nicholas Yovnello Social Justice Scholarship Award is open to any AFTNJ member in good standing who has been a member for at least one year – or a family member of an AFTNJ member in good standing who has been a member for at least one year.
• For AFTNJ members or family members, the scholarship award is open to graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in either a public college, trade school or a union apprenticeship program, excluding graduate students.
• The scholarship award is also open to seniors, public college or trade school students currently attending an AFTNJ represented school.  Applicants must submit a recommendation from an AFTNJ member in good standing with their local (agency fee payers excluded).
• Children or legal dependents of AFTNJ or local union staff are also eligible for this scholarship opportunity.
• Application deadline is December 31, 2017.  All required components must be completed and received by close of business.

Scholarship Award
• The award is based on demonstrated social justice activism over the course of at least one year.
• Activism can be take place on school, campus, community or in your workplace.
• For high school seniors, the $1,000 scholarship award is paid in full the following September upon proof of enrollment.  
• For current enrollees of a college, trade school or apprenticeship program, the scholarship award is paid in full at the beginning of the following semester, upon proof of enrollment.
• The scholarship award will be paid to the recipient or higher education institution attended by the recipient.
• The scholarship must be used within two years of the date the award is made.  

Notification of Award Recipient
• The AFTNJ Nicholas Yovnello Social Justice Scholarship Award brings together a voluntary committee of AFTNJ members in good standing from around the state to review the completed applications and select the recipient.
• Applicants will be automatically notified upon completion of the application process. Notification constitutes receipt of the application.

Required Documents which must be included within the application form:
• Completed Nick Yovnello Social Justice Scholarship Application Questionnaire
• Latest Secondary School, College, Trade School or Apprenticeship Report Card (to prove enrollment).  Grades are not a factor in determining the scholarship recipient.  
• Applicant Reference Sheets – Two completed Applicant References, one of which must be an AFTNJ member in good standing with their local (agency fee payers excluded).
• In some cases, interviews of applicant finalists will be required. In these cases the finalists will be notified and asked to meet with the Scholarship Selection Committee.