RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The 62 U.S. recipients of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships for 2013-2014 represent the “best of the best” academically, and are a worthy investment in the automotive aftermarket’s future, says the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee.
The majority of the GAAS U.S. recipients had grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.0 or higher: 77 percent of the recent high school graduates and 90 percent of the students already enrolled in post-secondary schools. Seventy-one percent of the high school students had class rankings in the top percentiles of their graduating classes.
Fifty of the GAAS scholarship award winners are studying to become technicians. Three GAAS scholarship winners are enrolled in the automotive aftermarket program at Northwood University, and one is studying mechanical engineering at Kettering University. Seven are planning to major in business at four-year colleges or universities, and one student is pursuing a four-year engineering degree.
“These GAAS scholarship recipients represent the broad spectrum of careers available in the automotive aftermarket,” said Dennis Welvaert, GAAS chairman. “GAAS is proud to support these students in the pursuit of their dreams and sincerely thanks the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and the event’s sponsors and attendees for making it possible.”
“These students were among more than 500 qualified students who completed scholarship applications at the GAAS scholarship website, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com, in 2013,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. “The site is firmly established as a one-stop shop for students seeking automotive scholarships, and we expect to attract even more outstanding applicants for the 2014-2015 awards.”
A record-setting 250 awards, totaling more than $260,000, were presented through the GAAS scholarship program for the 2013-2014 academic year, including 115 scholarships funded by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. An additional 76 scholarships were presented by state automotive aftermarket associations and other industry organizations. Ten of the GAAS scholarships were funded through a grant from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. Seven additional scholarships were presented by GAAS to Canadian students. In its 16-year history, the GAAS Scholarship program has presented more than $1.8 million in awards to more than 1,800 students.
Online applications are being accepted now for the 2014 GAAS scholarships, University of the Aftermarket scholarships, and awards from collaborating organizations. The application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2014. For details, visit www.automotivescholarships.com.
