Miranda Cramer of Flint, Michigan, knows the value of perseverance. As a 2025 recipient of a Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) scholarship, she will be able to pursue her goal of earning a bachelor’s degree while showing her daughter the power of determination and community.
A Family Rooted in Union Values
Miranda’s union ties are strong. Her husband is a member of UAW Local 659 and the USA, and her grandfather retired from General Motors as a proud union member of UAW Local 659. For Miranda, the union has never been just about wages or benefits; it’s about stability, security, and a better quality of life for working families. “My family has some of the best insurance benefits that I have ever seen, thanks to the union,” she says. “I don’t ever have to worry if my husband is going to have a job or income because he is union. The union offers stability and peace of mind not just for my family, but many others across the country, too.”
Miranda’s educational journey hasn’t been a straight path. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in college but was unsure of her direction. She changed majors several times and faced significant personal challenges. “I would get behind in my classes due to life circumstances and then think I could float a sinking ship,” she recalls. Despite earning an associate’s degree in liberal arts, Miranda found herself unable to continue her education after maxing out her student loans.
But Miranda never lost sight of her goal. “I want to complete my business degree so that I can move up in the corporate world,” she says. “I want to show my daughter that when you put your mind to something, you have to keep pushing.” Her daughter (17) is graduating from high school this year and plans to attend junior college. The $5,250 annual scholarship from the USA covers unlimited associate and bachelor’s degree courses online at Franklin University for up to six years and includes free textbooks.
Giving Back
Miranda’s commitment to service extends beyond her own family. She has been a regular volunteer at the USA’s outdoor events, where she helps introduce local youth to fishing, kayaking, and the joys of the outdoors. “The amount of kids who come out to enjoy the outdoors is incredible,” she says. “So many kids have returned year after year because they have enjoyed what they did. It is rewarding to see what the USA does for communities.”
Her service doesn’t stop there. Miranda has helped sell newspapers for the Old Newsboys’ annual paper sale, raising funds for children in need at Christmas. She has served as president of the Bowling Boosters at her daughter’s school for three years, organizing fundraisers to ensure the program’s success. She also donates to animal shelters and local food pantries whenever she can.
For Miranda, receiving the USA scholarship is more than financial support—it’s a second chance. “I have not been able to finish my degree in business because I maxed out on my student loans,” she says. “Winning this scholarship will allow me to further my career and help my family financially.” She sees the degree as a key to advancing at work, where she is already recognized as a leader among her teammates. “My achievements will only get me so far without a degree.”
About the Union College Benefit
In late 2024, the USA partnered with Employee Benefit Systems, Inc. (EBS) to provide USA members with access to the Union College Benefit, which is designed to make higher education accessible and affordable. By taking advantage of the benefit, union members and their families can pursue unlimited associate and bachelor-level courses online at Franklin University, with free textbooks and flexible scheduling to accommodate working adults. The program offers up to 50% discounted tuition rates at EBS network colleges and universities, supporting over 150 degree programs and certificates, including business, education, IT, and more.
As part of the new partnership and a generous donation from Franklin University, the USA unveiled its first scholarship in early 2025, inviting USA members and their families to apply. The value of the scholarship is $5,250 per year for up to six years of continuous enrollment.
Miranda and another top applicant, Donna Sands, both had such impactful stories and were so deserving that the USA decided to sponsor a second scholarship this year in addition to the one donated by Franklin University.
