Dear OCEA member,
Rising costs are affecting working families across Orange County. Rent, groceries, and healthcare are all more expensive, and college tuition is no different. At this crucial time for American workers, the labor movement needs passionate leaders more than ever. Today’s students will shape not only the future of organized labor but also influence policy, education, public service, and many other areas that affect working families.
Understanding the need to invest in our future, the OCEA Board of Directors is proud to announce our 2026 OCEA Scholarship Program. We are offering four $2,500 scholarships to dependents of OCEA members. By supporting the educational goals of our members’ families, we believe we are planting seeds for a stronger and fairer future.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026.
To be eligible, applicants must be:
- A child or stepchild of an OCEA member; or
- Have an OCEA member as their legal guardian; or
- Have a financially responsible grandparent who is an OCEA member.
The parent, guardian, or financially responsible grandparent must have been a dues-paying OCEA member continuously for at least two years at the time the application is submitted and must be a dues-paying OCEA member at the time the scholarship is awarded.
Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited community college, university, or trade/vocational/technical school for Fall 2026. Our selection committee will review each student’s high school or college transcripts, current GPA, and two personal letters of recommendation. Each applicant must also submit a 750-word essay describing how they would use their educational experience to further the interests of working men and women in the union/labor movement. The essay will be the greatest determining factor in selecting scholarship winners.
Applications can be downloaded here and emailed to info@ocea.org, delivered to the OCEA office, or mailed to us at Orange County Employees Association, 830 N. Ross St., Santa Ana, CA 92701.
Scholarship recipients will be awarded at the OCEA Board of Directors meeting July 21, 2026.
Now is the time to invest in the next generation of leaders who will strengthen institutions that support working Americans. We hope you’ll encourage eligible students in your family to apply.
In Solidarity,
Leti Guererro
OCEA President
