The New Jersey construction industry recently recognized 431 students with nearly $1.5 million in scholarships to support their academic goals, highlighting the union construction industry’s commitment to supporting and investing in the state’s future leaders.
“Every year, we are inspired by the students who continue to thrive while balancing the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and the pressure of college applications,” said Jack Kocsis, CEO of Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey. “ACCNJ is pleased to be able to help them continue their education and we hope they will remember this as they excel in their future careers.”
Since 2014, ACCNJ has awarded $820,000 in scholarships to 75 students through their association as well as former associations’ scholarships. This year, ACCNJ awarded scholarships to six students totaling $75,000. They also awarded one student with a $5,000 Floor Covering Institute of New Jersey (FCINJ) Legacy Scholarship. The FCINJ merged with ACCNJ in 2021.
The scholarships come from trade associations whose members are the construction companies that hire union craftworkers – and from the unions themselves. Each organization has its own set of criteria for how they award their scholarships.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to school because it wasn’t cheap, but thanks to the ACCNJ Foundation Scholarship, I was able to go to school for my first year,” said Alexis Pope, 2020 James F. Parry Memorial Scholarship recipient, ACCNJ Scholarship Foundation. “I am grateful for the ACCNJ scholarship that granted me the opportunity to go to school during my freshman year, which changed the trajectory of my college career.”
The full list of 2025 scholarships awarded to students attending colleges all over the country includes:
- Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ): six scholarships totaling $75,000
- FCINJ Legacy Scholarship (awarded by ACCNJ): one scholarship for $5,000
- Jack Daly/Les Hynes Memorial Scholarship (NJ Steel Association): 13 scholarships totaling $50,000
- Construction Industry Advancement Program (CIAP): eight scholarships totaling $12,000 and 58 internship scholarships totaling $173,250
- Drywall & Interior Systems Contractor Association of New Jersey (DISCA): five scholarships totaling $100,000
- Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey: 25 scholarships totaling $39,000
- New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association (NJAPA): 20 scholarships totaling $20,000
- Construction Roundtable of NJ: eight scholarships totaling $48,500
- Utility & Transportation Contractors of New Jersey (UTCA): six scholarships totaling $41,000
- International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, Locals 4 & 5: 17 scholarships totaling $62,500
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC): 114 scholarships totaling $108,250
- Dockbuilders Local Union 474: 33 scholarships totaling $106,392
- Dockbuilders Local Union 1556: one scholarship totaling $10,000
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron Workers, Local 399: seven scholarships totaling $21,000
- Laborers International Union of North America (New Jersey): six scholarships totaling $120,000
- Heavy/Highway Laborers Local 172 SET and 472 SET: four scholarships totaling $80,000
- Operating Engineers Local 825: 10 scholarships totaling $100,000
- Local 7 Tile, Marble and Terrazzo of NY & NJ: 53 scholarships totaling $106,000
