Franklin University Announces United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Scholarship Program and College Credit for Roofers and Waterproofer’s Union Apprenticeships

Contact:

Chelsey Lloyd
Associate Director of Public Relations
(614) 947-6047
Email: chelsey.lloyd@franklin.edu

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Franklin University, in partnership with Employee Benefit Systems Inc., is proud to announce a new partnership with the Roofers and Waterproofers Union to offer a United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Scholarship Program and deliver a tailored educational pathway designed specifically for union members and their families. The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Scholarship Program will create a tuition-free education for a union member to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree at Franklin University.  The education pathway offers college credit for the Roofer’s Apprenticeship program, which reflects Franklin’s long-standing commitment to serving working professionals by expanding access, honoring on-the-job learning, and creating clear, attainable routes to earning a college degree.

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Scholarship Program
Four candidates, one from each region, will be selected to receive a full undergraduate scholarship to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree. These scholarships are open to union members who submit a completed application by May 8, 2026. The finalist will be selected and notified by June 1, 2026.

College Credit for Roofers Apprenticeships: A pathway built around real work, real experience
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 Roofer/Waterproofer Apprenticeship Program, 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.  This generous credit recognition provides union members with a meaningful head start toward a college credential, reducing costs, accelerating time to completion, and recognizing the knowledge and skills they have already gained through their apprenticeship.

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 toward 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, that of investing in the growth, well-being, and long-term success of skilled trades workers. Many union members aspire to leadership roles, expanded responsibilities, or new career pathways; however, traditional college models often lack consideration for their schedules and realities. Franklin’s adult-centered design helps bridge that gap.
“Our goal is simple: make higher education accessible and achievable for the workers who keep our communities safe, strong, and moving forward,” said Dr. David Decker. “Members of the roofing and waterproofing trades bring talent, commitment, and grit to their work every day. We’re honored to help them translate that experience into new opportunities and long-term advancement.”

Clear next steps for union members
Apprenticeship graduates who enroll at Franklin can apply:

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

Union members interested in learning more can visit https://www.franklin.edu/roofers or speak with a dedicated Franklin advisor at Abigail Warfel / partners@franklin.edu / 614.947.6288.

About Employee Benefits Systems, INC.
Since 1997, Employee Benefit Systems, Inc. (EBS) has been a trusted leader in delivering tailored benefits to labor unions and their members across the country. Focused on improving the lives of working families, EBS partners with unions to design and manage programs that enhance member value, retention, and overall well-being. As part of this mission, EBS created the Union College Benefit to extend affordable and flexible higher education opportunities to union members and their families.

About The Roofers and Waterproofers Union
The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers represents skilled professionals who install, maintain, and protect roofing and waterproofing systems across the United States, bringing quality craftsmanship and safety to every jobsite. The Roofers Union is deeply committed to supporting its members and their families by securing fair wages, comprehensive benefits including health and pension coverage, and opportunities for growth through extensive education, training, and apprenticeship programs that help workers earn while they learn and build long-lasting careers. Beyond contracts and industry excellence, the Roofers Union advances health and safety programs, political action for working families, and community outreach efforts, while fostering inclusion through initiatives like Women in Roofing and the Helmets to Hardhats program to help veterans transition into union careers.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).