To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, the AFL-CIO and Union Plus awarded $300,000 in scholarships to help graduating high school seniors realize their dreams of a college education. More than 600 students applied and 60 $5,000 scholarships were awarded.

Aug. 28 marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. To commemorate the historic 1963 march, the AFL-CIO, in partnership with Union Plus, announced today a new Dreams of Jobs and Freedom Scholarship program.    

The scholarships will provide $5,000 each to at least 50 talented high school seniors—including those from union families—to help pay for the costs of higher education.

The 2013 Union Plus Scholarship application is now available but time is running out to apply. A complete application must be received on or before 12 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

How does the Union Plus Scholarship Program work?

Tom Chiancone, Union Plus Scholarship Program Manager, sends this report on recent problems some people had applying online for a Union Plus scholarship.

Eleanor Trice at Union Plus sent us this.

Union members and their children can apply for the Union Plus Scholarship, offering scholarship awards from $500 to $4,000. This year’s scholarship deadline is soon:  Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.