Franklin University, in partnership with Employee Benefit Systems Inc., is proud to announce a new partnership with the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers to offer a U-Learn scholarship and deliver a tailored educational pathway designed specifically for union members and their families. The scholarship will create a tuition-free education for a union or family member to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree at Franklin University.

Roofers U-Learn Scholarship
One candidate will be selected each year to receive a full undergraduate scholarship to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree. This scholarship is open to union and family members who submit a completed application by June 1, 2026. The finalist will be selected and notified by June 19, 2026.

College credit for Roofers Apprenticeships

Members of the roofing and waterproofing trades bring exceptional technical skill, safety expertise, and disciplined on-the-job learning to their work every day. Recognizing this, Franklin University recently completed a comprehensive review of the Roofers & Waterproofers National Apprenticeship Guideline Standards, confirming that completers of the full U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship are eligible to receive 36 semester hours of technical credit upon enrollment at Franklin.

Affordable, flexible, supportive, and designed for working union members

Through this new offering, union members and their families will have access to:

  • Franklin’s U-Learn program and free textbooks
  • Flexible schedules and online options that allow students to continue working while earning a degree
  • College credit for Roofers Apprenticeship that directly applies towards Franklin’s A.A.S. in Business Administration and B.S. in Applied Management, saving time and money
  • Dedicated advising and student support, ensuring each learner has personalized guidance from admission to graduation
  • Opportunities for advancement, preparing members for supervisory roles, project leadership, small-business ownership, and other career goals

Expanding opportunity through education

This partnership strengthens a long-standing shared value: investing in the growth, well-being, and long-term success of skilled trades workers. Traditional college models often lack consideration for their schedules and realities—Franklin’s adult-centered design helps bridge that gap.

Apprenticeship graduates who enroll at Franklin can apply:

  • 27 technical credits towards the A.A.S. in Business Administration, with 33 credits remaining
  • An additional 9 technical credits, for a total of 69 applied credits, towards the B.S. in Applied Management, with 55 credits remaining

Union members interested in learning more can visit www.franklin.edu/roofers or speak with a dedicated Franklin advisor at partners@franklin.edu or (614) 947-6288.