ED FUND LOGO

About the UAW Region 9A Education Fund

The UAW Region 9A Education Fund (The Ed Fund) is an independent non-profit Union-Employer Trust that provides two benefits to eligible members:

  1. Tuition Benefit: Reimbursement to eligible members of up to $1,000 per calendar year for educational courses and programs and up to $2,500 per calendar year for college or university courses and mandatory fees as part of an accredited degree or certificate program. 

  2. Student Loan Assistance Fund: Additionally, the Ed Fund maintains an additional program, which provides up to $5,250 annually in reimbursement to eligible members who have made qualifying student loan payments during the previous calendar year.

The Ed Fund Director is Jim Provost and can be reached at uawedfund@gmail.com.

Who is eligible for the Ed Fund and how do I apply?

The Ed Fund's tuition benefit available to post-probationary members from units whose employers contribute to the Ed Fund's tuition benefit pursuant to their Collective Bargaining Agreement.  To receive reimbursement, you can submit the Application Form with proof of payment and successful completion of class.  The Ed Fund Rules describe the supporting documents you need and the Ed Fund will work with you to complete your application.

Currently, members from certain units in Locals 2110, 2179, 2320, and 2325 are eligible for the tuition benefit:

  • Bronx Defenders (Local 2325)
  • Legal Aid Society - Investigators & Interpreters United (Local 2325)
  • New Immigrant Community Empowerment (Local 2325)
  • Monthly Review (Local 2110)
  • Lowenstein & Sons (Local 2179)
  • Legal Services NYC (Local 2320)
  • Levy Ratner (Local 2320)
  • Mobilization for Justice (Local 2320)

The Ed Fund's Student Loan Assistance Fund is available to members from units whose employers contribute to the Ed Fund's Student Loan Assistance Fund pursuant to their Collective Bargaining Agreement.  The application to receive reimbursement opens once per year in the spring and covers eligible student loan payments made during the past year.

Currently, members from certain units in Local 2325 are eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Fund:

  • Legal Aid Society (Attorneys)
  • New York Legal Assistance Group

What kinds of courses are eligible for reimbursement?

College courses, language classes, pottery making, beauty school, gardening,  or anything that is primarily educational in nature.  See the Ed Fund Rules for more specifics or email Jim Provost, Ed Fund Director at uawedfund@gmail.com with any questions.

Other examples of courses you may be able to use for tuition reimbursement include:

  • LSAT Classes
  • Language Classes
  • Language Immersion Trips (Tuition Only)
  • Driving Classes
  • Swim Courses
  • College and Advanced Degree Classes

Members have used the fund to pay for classes including among others labor education, language learning and ESL, computer skills, GED, and college prep.

What if my local or unit does not have Ed Fund benefits in our CBA?

If your local or unit does not yet participate, you can bargain to include Ed Fund benefits in your next CBA.  Let your local leadership know that this is a benefit that you would like to include in the next round of negotiations! For sample language that you can use in your next contract contact Region 9A Education Representative Alexi Shalom at ashalom@uaw.net

Who manages the Ed Fund?

The Education Fund is jointly managed by trustees which represent the Union and Employers.  The Ed Fund's day-to-day operations are handled by UAW Education Fund Director Jim Provost.

Union Trustees:

  • Lisa Ohta (UAW Local 2325)

  • Olga Brudastova (UAW Local 2110)

  • Brian Schneck (UAW Local 259)

  • Pam Smith (UAW Local 2320)

  • Vilma Torres-Mulholland (UAW Local 2179)

Employer Trustees:

  • Beth Hofmeister (Legal Aid Society)

  • Bernadette Jentsch (Mobilization for Justice)

  • Tanya Wong (Legal Services NYC)

Where can I use my Education Fund benefit to further my union education in our region?

In Region 9A, we have excellent universities with labor studies programs in almost every area where we represent members.  Among other programs, you can use your Ed Fund benefit to take classes at some of the following institutions: