A record-setting 250 awards totaling more than $260,000 were presented through the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship program for the 2013-2014 academic year.
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation funded 115 of the 250 scholarships for 2013. The GAAS Scholarship Fund, supported by attendees at the annual event, its donors and sponsors, funded 69 awards, 10 of which were funded through a grant from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. State automotive aftermarket groups and other industry organizations funded an additional 76 scholarships. Awards ranged from $500 to $5,000.
“This is an all-time record for GAAS Scholarship program, made possible through the support of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, GAAS, and the many other associations and organizations that participate,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. “This was a great year for the students applying for these awards and for the future of the aftermarket.”
“We especially want to thank the University of the Aftermarket Foundation for funding 115 of the 250 scholarships this year,” said Dennis Welvaert, GAAS chairman. “The Foundation’s generous support, along with all the other organizations, associations and individuals, are investment in the future of this great industry.
The full list of 2013 scholarship recipients has been posted to the scholarship website “alumni” page here. In its 16 year history, the GAAS Scholarship program has presented more than $1.8 million in awards to more than 1,800 students.
The AutomotiveScholarship.com site provides “one-stop shopping” for students seeking post high school educations to prepare for a career in the automotive aftermarket, whether at two-year community colleges, ASE/NATEF certified vocational/technical schools, or four-year colleges or universities. By completing one application, students can be considered for multiple awards. A total of 35 students received multiple awards in 2013, including two students who received three awards and one who received four awards.
Online applications are being accepted now for the 2014 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships, University of the Aftermarket Scholarships, and awards from collaborating organizations beginning now. The application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2014. For details, visit www.automotivescholarships.com.
These state associations and other automotive groups collaborate with automotivescholarships.com to award scholarships:
• Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN)
• Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
• Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT)
• Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS)
• Automotive Parts & Services Association (APSA)
• Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL)
• California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA)
• Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
• Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA)
• Midwest Automotive Parts and Service Association (MAPSA)
• Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS)
• New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
• Wisconsin Automotive Part Association (WAPA)
The following foundations and organizations also accept scholarship applications at the site:
• Automotive Communication Council
• Breslow Foundation
• Larry McCurdy Memorial Fund
• Leadership Development Network
• Gates Corporation
• Michael Busch Memorial Fund
• Mitchell 1
• Multi Parts Supply
• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
• Polk
• Standard Motor Products
• Stant Corporation
• Women’s Car Care Council (WB)
Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or [email protected].
About the GAAS Scholarship Program
The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket. Polk is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. The annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, slated for Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill., is made possible through the generous support of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.
