SEMA Member News - March/April 2010
Scholarships Help Develop Leadership for Tomorrow
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The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed lend a hand to students who are pursuing careers in the specialty-equipment industry, fostering the next generation of industry leaders and innovators. The application deadline for the 2010–2011 academic year is April 2, 2010. (Photo Courtesy of Texas A&M University) |
“SEMA’s desire is to lend a hand to students who are pursuing a career and want to make a difference in the specialty-equipment industry,” said Jamie Eriksen, SEMA education director. “The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of industry leaders and innovators.”
To qualify for a scholarship, the student must have a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and be enrolled in a full-time program with an accredited university, college or proprietary program in either the United States or Canada. The student must be pursuing studies leading to a career in the automotive aftermarket or a related field. In addition, the student must have completed a minimum of 25 credits from a two-year trade or technical school or 50 credits/hours from a four-year college or university.
Students enrolled in two-year universities or colleges and students in vocational or technical schools are eligible to receive $1,000. Graduates and undergraduates at four-year schools are eligible to receive up to $2,000, with $4,000 going to the
top student.
To ensure complete impartiality in selection of winners and to maintain a high level of professionalism, the program is administered by International Scholarship & Tuition Services Inc., a firm that specializes in managing sponsored scholarship programs. An independent selection committee evaluates the applications and selects the winners based on academic achievements and records, extracurricular and community involvement, work experience essay content and recommendations. SEMA members and/or dependents receive special consideration during the application process.
Students may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for course load.
A recipient must enroll as a full-time student in the Fall of the year in which the scholarship is awarded and must continue in school the entire semester without interruption unless approved by scholarship sponsor. The recipient must also have a valid e-mail address, as all correspondence will be sent electronically. A student may transfer from one institution to another and retain the award.
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To qualify for a loan forgiveness scholarship, the applicant must be a recent college graduate and have worked a minimum of one year in the automotive industry for a SEMA-member company. Students who are interested in applying for either a scholarship or loan forgiveness funds may access an online application at www.SEMA.org/scholarships. (Photo Courtesy of Texas A&M University) |
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To qualify for a loan forgiveness scholarship, the applicant must be a recent college graduate and have worked a minimum of one year in the automotive industry for a SEMA-member company. A letter of recommendation from the employer will be required. School transcripts to confirm graduation and documented confirmation of outstanding student loans must also be submitted.
“The SEMA Memorial Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness awards have been lifesavers to me,” said past recipient Patrick Hill. “Since I graduated and started working in the industry, the Loan Forgiveness award has helped me to survive the trying economic times of the last two years and still keep paying on my student loans. If it wasn’t for the SEMA Scholarship Fund, I don’t know where I’d be right now.”
Students who are interested in applying for the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund for the 2010–2011 academic year or the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program can access an online application at www.SEMA.org/scholarships. The Internet-based application is an innovative addition to the program.
“We’ve completely revamped the online application,” said Eriksen. “It is very streamlined and easier than ever to understand and complete. The new format also allows us to be completely paperless.”
The application deadline is April 2, 2010. For questions and further details on the SEMA scholarship programs, e-mail member@SEMA.org.