GAAS Awards 115 Scholarships
in May
12 Year Aftermarket Total: Over $1.4 million to
1,400 Students
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.
– The Global
Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee recently announced
the awarding of scholarships to 115 students pursuing aftermarket careers in
2008.
The $1,000 and $2,000
scholarships will be granted to 105 students in the U.S. and ten in Canada. In
the history of the scholarship program, more than 1,400 students have received
aid totaling approximately $1.4 million. The program targets students in both 2-
and 4-year college technical and business programs.
"GAAS continues to ensure
a strong future talent pool for all levels of aftermarket companies and service
outlets. Technicians in specialties from diesel to collision repair have
benefited, as have those looking for support of traditional four year college
degrees “said Pete Kornafel, chairman, GAAS Scholarship Committee.
"This year the quality of
applicants and their dedication to automotive and heavy duty careers has been
exceptional. We are pleased to have the opportunity to help these
well-qualified, deserving students reach their goal of pursuing a career in the
independent aftermarket," added Bill Wade, heavy duty representative on the
scholarship committee.
"This year we are pleased
to say we have grown closer to our goal of becoming a 'one stop shop' for
students seeking automotive and heavy duty scholarships through increased
collaboration with other aftermarket groups," Kornafel said. "By working
together, we are benefiting the students who can submit one application and be
considered for multiple scholarships," he added. Collaborative efforts with
associations and other groups include:
- Automotive
Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT)
- Automotive
Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS)
- Association of
Diesel Specialists (ADS)
- Automotive
Parts & Services Association (APSA)
- Automotive Parts and
Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL)
-
Arizona/California/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler's Association (CAWA)
- Ohio Valley
Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)
To be eligible for a GAAS
scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or
an ASE/NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) certified
automotive or heavy duty technical program.
The GAAS scholarship also
is unique in that recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of
employment as technicians in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months
after graduation can receive a second matching grant.
The GAAS scholarships are
funded through proceeds from the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
Additionally, this year's 115 scholarships include those funded through the
donations and grants from:
- Art Fisher Memorial
Scholarship Fund
- Automotive
Communications Council Scholarships (ACC)
- ASC Industries Inc.
- ASE/Michael Bush
Memorial Scholarships
- Breslow Foundation
Scholarships
- Leadership
Development Network of AAIA (LDN)
- R.L. Polk & Co.
- Udell Family
Charitable Foundation
- University of the
Aftermarket Foundation
- Zurich
GAAS Scholarship
applications for 2009 will be available online at
www.automotivescholarships.com
beginning in
September 2008. The deadline for submitting 2009 scholarship applications is
March 31, 2009.
The annual investment to
help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through
proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. This two-day
program brings together numerous industry executives and examines the issues and
trends affecting the automotive aftermarket industry and influencing its future.
GAAS has become the
aftermarket's premier educational conference. The 2009 event is set for
Wednesday and Thursday, May 6-7, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago.
For more information, contact
www.automotivescholarships.com. |
