Education (Public Sector) - Benefits

Eligibility

Education Fund Benefit Eligibility

To be eligible for Education Fund classes and programs, members of collective bargaining units represented by DC 37 must qualify as:

A full-time, per annum employee of the City or State of New York in certain agencies
A full-time, per annum employee of a related agency, corporation, cultural institution or authority, and work in a covered job title (a title covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement or a Comptroller’s determination which provides for a contribution to be made to the DC 37 Benefits Trust Fund)
Employees of the New York Public Library who are paid on public and private lines are eligible for all benefits.
Employees represented by Local 371 are required to obtain their Education Fund benefits from the SSEU/Local 371 Education Fund. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please call SSEU Local 371 at (212) 677-3900.

Part-time employees: If you are a part-time employee in a public sector title other than those mentioned above, you are eligible for a partial benefit that includes all programs except Tuition Reimbursement.

New employees: New employees working in covered job titles become eligible for this benefit on the first day of employment.

Termination and Disability: Your eligibility ends when you are no longer an active employee in a covered job title, including when on disability.

Questions about your education benefits and eligibility? Contact the DC 37 Education Fund at (212) 815-1700.

Register for Classes

The DC 37 Education Fund is currently accepting applications for the Winter 2026 cycle. Click the links below to view class description, available dates, prerequisites, and to apply.

Labor Education Courses

Allied Health Courses

Industry-Specific Courses

Technology Courses

Adult Education Courses

Language Courses

Ongoing Programs

Tuition Reimbursement

The DC 37 Education Fund’s Tuition Reimbursement Program assists eligible members in their pursuit of an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate education, subject to the rules, regulations, conditions and limitations established by the Education Fund Board of Trustees. This program also assists members taking non-credit courses.

Reimbursement amount: As of Jan. 1, 2024, the maximum reimbursement amount increased from $915 to $1,500 per calendar year. The increased maximum only applies to coursework taken on or after Jan. 1, 2024.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a member must:

Be a full-time, per annum employee in a title covered by Fund training agreements.
Be either a part-time employee in some covered title of the Department of Education or a College Assistant who works a minimum of 17.5 hours per week or 70 hours per month.
Be eligible when the term begins in order to be reimbursed.
Receive course credit toward a degree offered by an accredited college or university or online. The institution must be accredited as specified in the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Life Experience credits and Independent Study are not reimbursable.
Receive a “P” or “S” grade or a grade of “C” or better for college credit courses.
Submit proof of successful completion for non-credit programs or courses.

Not eligible: Spouses, domestic partners, dependents, employees on leave of absence, per diem, and hourly employees.

NOTE: The Education Fund will provide reimbursement only for out-of-pocket tuition expenses paid over other forms of assistance, up to a maximum of $1,500 per calendar year. Students must provide proof from their school that they did not receive financial aid such as the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS), PELL grants, and other federal grants, veterans benefits, tuition waivers, or scholarships covering the entire amount of tuition.

Apply for reimbursement

At the end of the term, a member must submit a completed application form, along with a grade report or completion of course documentation, a detailed bursar’s receipt, and a financial aid statement, if applicable. This information must be received no later than 120 days after the last day of class. The member may use their PID number (located on the member’s prescription drug card) instead of a Social Security number when completing the application form.

Members can submit their tuition reimbursement application fully online. You will be required to upload your supporting documents along with your application. Pictures and screenshots will not be accepted. For questions or issues regarding the online application, email edf-tuition@dc37.net.

Reimbursement Application (Online)

Reimbursement Application (PDF, 203.13 KB)

If you prefer to mail your application and supporting documents, download the and submit your completed packet to:

DC 37 Education Fund
Attn: Tuition Reimbursement
125 Barclay Street
New York, NY 10007

Processing takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. The rules and regulations outlined in these instructions apply to the majority of eligible members. However, there may be exceptions.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply, contact the Education Fund at (212) 815-1663 or (212) 815-1664.

Appeal process: If your reimbursement request is denied, you will be notified in writing and may appeal the decision to the Education Fund Administrator within 60 days of receipt of the rejection notice. If after appealing the decision you receive an unfavorable decision from the Education Fund Administrator, you may continue the appeal process by writing to the Education Fund Board of Trustees within 14 days after receipt of the Administrator’s denial of your appeal. The decision of the Board of Trustees is final.

Civil Service Exams

What is Civil Service?

The City of New York fills many of its positions through the Civil Service Process. The City uses civil service examinations to measure a candidate’s “merit” and “fitness” for a particular position. Taking an examination is the start of the hiring process that may lead to getting a job with New York City.

Generally, there are two types of examinations: open competitive and promotional. Anyone can take an open-competitive examination, as long as they meet the basic qualifications of the position. Promotional examinations are restricted to individuals already employed in specific New York City job titles.

Union members who are provisional employees should take Civil Service Tests they are eligible for to become permanent Civil Service workers.

Civil Service Exam Schedule

The current Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) regularly posts Civil Service Exam Schedules as they are available.

New exams usually open for filing on the first Wednesday of each month, except holidays. If a scheduled exam is postponed or canceled, the change will usually be announced at the start of the scheduled filing period.

Read the duties of the job and the education/experience needed to see if you qualify. Most Civil Service exams require a filing fee. Check the posting’s official Notice of Examination (NOE) for details.

Civil Service Exam Application

You can apply online using DCAS’s Online Application System (OASys) and pay your application fee by credit, debit or bank card or a public assistance ID number (see site for details). Filing dates, test dates and qualifications are all subject to change.

The Civil Service Bookshop is a recommended vendor for study materials that members can use to prepare for exams. They offer local delivery and mail order services.

For more information on Civil Service, call 3-1-1 or the Department of Citywide Administrative Services at (212) 669-1357.

Take a Test Prep Course through the DC 37 Education Fund

District Council 37 offers a number of test prep courses for many but not all civil service examinations through the DC 37 Education Fund. Only members and agency-fee payers eligible for Education Fund benefits may participate. For upcoming test prep courses, members are contacted by the Education Fund based on their title and the need for a specific test prep course.

For more information or to find out if the Education Fund will have a test prep course for a Civil Service examination you may have applied for, call (212) 815-1700.

Signing up for an Education Fund test prep course does not register an employee to take the Civil Service test. The Education Fund does not cover filing fees for Civil Service examinations. Members must submit their applications and filing fees for exams to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

Scholarships

The DC 37 Scholarship Committee offers a number of scholarships for dependent children and grandchildren of eligible DC 37 members and retirees.

IMPORTANT: All applicants should review the Scholarships FAQ before beginning an application to determine scholarship eligibility, requirements and documentation. All applicants must submit a completed application package and include all required documentation in order to be considered. For more information, call the Education Department at (212) 815-1700.

Scholarships for Children and Grandchildren of DC 37 Members

These scholarships are for applicants who are graduating high school seniors who will be entering their first year of college or college students entering their first or second year of undergraduate study. Each scholarship award is $1,000.

Memorial Scholarship: The Memorial Scholarship honors past union leaders who have helped build DC 37. This scholarship is for high school seniors only.
DC 37 Education Committee Scholarship: The applicant must currently be enrolled in the first or second year of a 2-year or 4-year accredited college, university, technical or trade school. High school seniors are not eligible for this award.
Overcoming Obstacles Scholarship: The applicant who is a high school senior or a student enrolled in their first or second year of college, university, technical or trade school, overcoming a physical or learning disability. The applicant must submit proof of disability.
Evelyn Gaskin Memorial Scholarship: The applicant must be pursuing a career in education. Recipients will be required to submit proof of enrollment in an Education degree program and must be currently enrolled in their first or second year of a 2-year or 4-year college or university. High school seniors are not eligible for this award.

Scholarships for Active DC 37 Members

The following scholarships are only available to active DC 37 members. Each scholarship award is $2,000.

Lillian Roberts Scholarship for Continuing Education: The applicant must be an active member of DC 37 pursuing an undergraduate degree in a 2-year or 4-year college or university.
The Dwayne Dugger Memorial Scholarship: The applicant must be an active member of DC 37 pursuing a graduate degree at 4-year College or University.

Other Scholarships

The following scholarships and education opportunities are not administered by DC 37 and are available to eligible DC 37 members or their dependents:

AFSCME Family Scholarship: Provides $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors that will be renewed for $2,000 each year for a maximum of four years, provided the student remains enrolled in a full-time course of study. The scholarship may be used for any field of study. Questions about this scholarship should be directed to AFSCME.
Union Plus College Program: Union members and their families can earn an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree 100% online while minimizing their out-of-pocket costs thanks to exclusive union discounts, financial aid, and grants. Questions about this scholarship should be directed to scholarships@unionplus.org.
CUNY and SUNY: Free Associate degree programs in high-demand industries for eligible students. Students may be eligible if they are New York residents, are between the ages of 25-55, and do not already have a college degree. For more information, call (212) 815-1644.

Retiree Education

The DC 37 Retirees Education Program, in collaboration with the DC 37 Retirees Association, offers rich educational, recreational, and social opportunities to active members of the Retirees Association.

View and apply for available retiree education courses.

For more information, call (212) 815-1662 or email mgomezrosa@dc37.net.