RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — A recent analysis of the 2010-2011 GAAS scholarship applications shows that the typical 2010 GAAS scholarship recipient is not an "average" high school student in any sense — GAAS scholarship winners have good grades, strong work ethic and a strong desire to pursue a career as a repair professional after graduation.

The report shows the typical GAAS scholarship award winner has a grade point average of 3.0 or better, plans to attend a two-year vocational or technical school and will train to be a technician or a machinist.

"The GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee commented that the quality of the students applying for GAAS scholarships continues to improve from year to year, and this is the best group we’ve ever had," said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the committee. "They felt that if funds were available, many more applicants would be well qualified for a scholarship."

Academics
GAAS awarded scholarships to 86 students in 2010. Eighty-two percent of recipients have a high school GPA of 3.0 or better, with 36 percent achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students currently enrolled in secondary schools showed an even better academic track record, with 97 percent earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Course of Study
While the majority of recipients plan to attend a two-year college or vocational school, 28 percent have been accepted at a four-year college or university. Of the 86 scholarship winners, 80 percent are training to be a technician or machinist, and the balance of students are studying business, accounting or engineering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schools
Recipients for 2010 plan to attend a very wide variety of schools. Multiple awards were made to recipients planning to attend these schools:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsors
As a result of the GAAS scholarship program’s affiliation with state associations, the number of students sponsored by individual parts or paint stores and repair shops or fleets has increased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collaborative efforts with state associations and other automotive 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)
• Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
• New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
• Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)
• Wisconsin Automotive Part Association (WAPA)

Each of these other collaborating groups has their own criteria and selects their own recipients for their scholarships.

At GAAS 2010, Kornafel and his wife, Annie, issued an industry challenge: they will match 100 percent of each donation to the GAAS Scholarship fund received before Wednesday, June 30, up to $15,000 in total. Each donation of $1,000 or more will receive a 2010 scholarship named in that person’s honor.

"It’s our hope that by issuing this challenge, we will be able to award more of these outstanding students help with their education and give them a boost to starting their aftermarket careers," Kornafel said.

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].