RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – Applications will be accepted online for the 2014 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships, University of the Aftermarket Scholarships and awards from collaborating organizations beginning now. Electronic applications are at the Scholarship Web site, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 31, 2014.

The scholarships are available to students in two-year technical college programs and vocational schools and four-year college programs. To receive a GAAS or UAF scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or an ASE / NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) certified automotive technical program. Graduate programs and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify.

The GAAS scholarship is unique in that technician recipients can receive two financial grants: one while in school to assist with tuition and an equivalent grant awarded to scholarship recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of post-graduation employment as a technician in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months.

By completing a single online application at the Scholarship Web site, students will be considered for GAAS and UAF scholarships, plus scholarships from a number of industry partners.

In 2013, a total of 225 scholarships were awarded by the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship fund, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF), and other groups collaborating with the Scholarship Web site, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com.

Individual scholarships ranged from $250 to $2,500. In its 16-year history, the fund has presented more than $1.5 million in awards to more than 1,600 students.

“We especially thank the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, which funded 100 awards in 2013,” said Pete Kornafel chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. “In 2013, more than 500 qualified students completed scholarship applications at the site. The automotive scholarship Web site, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com, is now established as a one-stop shop for students seeking automotive scholarships, as evidenced by the number of students receiving multiple awards from GAAS and its partners.”

GAAS collaborates with these state associations and other automotive groups:

•    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)

•    Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS)

•    New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)

•    Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)

•    Wisconsin Automotive Part Association (WAPA)

The following foundations and organizations also collaborate with GAAS to award scholarships:

•    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 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill., is made possible through the generous support of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.