About James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund

James R. Hoffa became a Teamster member in 1934 and served as General President for 14 years, and, in recognition of his tireless service to the Union and its members, was honored as General President Emeritus for life. At the November 1999 General Executive Board meeting, General Secretary-Treasurer C. Thomas Keegel presented a resolution to establish the new scholarship fund. This site describes the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund and outlines eligibility requirements and application procedures. The deadline for applying to the scholarship fund was March 31, 2009. The 2010/2011 scholarship for high school seniors will begin in November 2009.

One hundred scholarships will be awarded this program year. Applicants compete in one of the five geographic regions where the Teamster parent’s local union is located.

Thirty-one of the awards total $10,000 each. These four-year scholarships are disbursed at the rate of $2,500 per year and are renewable annually. Sixty-nine of the awards are one-time $1,000 grants. These scholarships are disbursed to the college or university at the beginning of the recipient’s freshman year.

Eligibility requirements and application procedures are the same for all awards. Recipients are selected by an impartial committee of university admissions and financial aid directors based on academic achievement, SAT/ACT scores, character, potential and financial need. We consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, gender, disability, or any other legally protected status.

GUIDELINES

The Scholarship Fund has established some guidelines to be used by students when deciding whether or not to apply to this program.

Applicants should:

• Rank in the top 15 percent of their high school class;
• Have, or expect to have, excellent SAT or ACT scores; and
• Demonstrate financial need.

Due to the highly competitive nature of the program and the large number of applicants, students should carefully consider these criteria before submitting an application.

The James R Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund is an independent organization established and registered as a tax exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund is established solely to provide scholarships to the children and dependents of members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and contributions to the Fund are deductible as charitable contributions to the extent permitted by law. The International Union provides certain in kind services to the Fund, such as this portion of the union web site, in order to benefit members and their children and dependents.

To download application and contest rules, go here:

http://www.teamster.org/content/about-james-r-hoffa-memorial-scholarship-fund