RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – In 2010, a total of 136 students were awarded 155 scholarships by the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship fund, its contributors and other groups collaborating with the GAAS Scholarship website, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com.

Individual scholarships ranged from $250 to $3,000, and, in total, $158,000 was awarded. In its 15-year history, the fund has presented more than $1.5 million in awards to more than 1,500 students.

“Our success in becoming a one-stop shop for students seeking automotive scholarships is reflected in the number of students receiving multiple awards from GAAS and its partners,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. “Nineteen students who submitted online applications were selected for multiple awards. Eighteen students received $2,000 or more in awards and one student received a total of $3,000.”

Ninety-four GAAS scholarships were awarded in 2010, including eight awards to students in Canada. The annual investment to develop future automotive aftermarket industry leaders is funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, donations from individual donors and funding from:

• AP Exhaust                                                                                                                                                         • Breslow Foundation                                                                                                                                             • Gates Corporation
• Leadership Development Network
• Michael Busch Memorial Fund
• R.L. Polk
• Standard Motor Products
• U of A Foundation
• Zurich

An additional 61 scholarships were awarded by the following organizations:

• 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)
• Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
• California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA)
• Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
• Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA)
• New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
• Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)

Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or [email protected].

The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. GAAS 2011 will be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago.

For more information, visit www.globalsymposium.org.