Benefits for AFGE Members

When you join the union, you have access to these AFGE benefits. These benefits are backed by the collective strength of over 10-million members of AFL-CIO unions. By using one or two of the programs, many members save as much as their annual dues.

These Money-Saving Benefits are Available Only to AFGE Members:

College Financing

COLLEGE FINANCING

AFGE and the American Education Services (AES) have joined forces to provide educational assistance to union members and their families. The Union Plus Education Services program offers information on financing for a range of education and training needs.

Financial Aid Counseling

Pursuing financial aid opportunities seems to cause confusion for everyone, but AES can help guide members through the financial aid maze.

Members can call toll-free and speak to a Union Plus Education Services financial aid counselor. Experts are on hand to answer members' questions and guide them through the application process.
Members can access a financial aid glossary to help with confusing terms and a financial aid literacy quiz used to measure your knowledge of the process.

Student Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your starting point for applying to almost all student financial assistance programs. You need to complete this free application to receive any federal student aid. Many schools also use the FAFSA as part of their application process for non-federal aid.
Most importantly, AES can explain how to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

State Savings Plans (529 Plans)

More than likely, your state sponsors a college savings plan. Each state determines the maximum amount you may contribute annually per child. The advantage of state savings plans is that your savings are not subject to state and local taxes and may grow faster than a taxable investment. Members can Learn more about 529 plans online with access to a tool to customize their comparison based on criteria that is important to them.

Work-Study Programs

Work-study programs are a form of financial aid in which you perform work in exchange for money for your education. Federal government programs are the primary source of work-study, but individual states or campuses may also offer their own programs to make additional financial aid available to as many students as possible.

Grants and Scholarships

A common misconception about grants and scholarships is that only "poor" students can get them. We want to make sure you understand that not all grants and scholarships are based on financial need. Some scholarship programs award funds to students in a particular major; others may award money based on athletic ability, scholastic ability, religious affiliation, race (of the student or parent), or social activities.

Military Service

Military service provides some of the greatest financial aid and educational benefits packages available to students. For many students, trading 3-4 years of service for a "free ride" to college, cutting-edge technological training, and a chance to see parts of their country/world they wouldn't see otherwise is an easy choice to make.

Loan forgiveness

Loan forgiveness programs encourage up and coming professionals to pursue study in a certain field by offsetting their incurred student loan debt with payments for certain work-related requirements the student-borrower fulfills

Which One Is Best?

There are a lot of financing options out there for students. Members can find the one that works best within their means by calling toll free and speaking with a to speak with an experienced financial aid counselor.

Please Note: Due to the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis on student loans, the Union Plus Education Services Program no longer offers direct loans. Contact your educational institution for more information about federal student loan programs. Or call the toll free to speak to a financial aid counselor.

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Access: This benefit is only available to members of AFGE. If you are a member of AFGE, please login to the Members Only section. If you are not a member, but would like to find out how to become one, please visit the Join AFGE section.

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