Union Plus Grant Program sees success in first year  

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — OCTOBER 16, 2024) Empire State University’s Union Plus program is celebrating one year and its first cohort of graduates. The program offers union members and their families reduced undergraduate tuition credits, fee waivers, and access to high quality, flexible, and affordable education.  

The partnership began in August 2023 and saw an immediate positive response from AFL-CIO unions across the United States. Since its inception, the program has generated incredible growth leading to increased enrollment at Empire State University. 158 students enrolled with the program for the 2023-24 academic year. Now, 175 students are enrolled in just the Fall 2024 semester, already surpassing total enrollment in the program for the first year.  

“Union members do important work across industries, sectors, and US regions,” Alejandro Galindo, assistant director for corporate partnerships, said. “This benefit provides the members access to education that makes them better union members and helps them advance their careers from anywhere in the US. In addition, members and retirees can help their spouses and dependents to access our high-quality degrees as well.”  

As the program progresses, Galindo said employees with the Union Plus program are attending conferences to connect with union members across the country and bring SUNY Empire’s online, accessible, and flexible programs to them.  

Students who enroll with the Union Plus Grant Program benefit from an application fee waiver, prior learning credit fee waiver, and a $250 tuition reduction, per credit. The program is not just utilized by union members and their families in New York, but serves students in New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Texas, Hawaii, and other states across the country.