Ottawa, Ontario — January 15, 2017 — AIA Canada has announced that it will create a new scholarship program with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation to take the place of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Program. GAAS was dissolved in 2016 and the scholarship program went with it.
The scholarship amount, application process and the criteria for the scholarship have not changed from previous years. Information on the scholarship program can be found on the AIA website or by contacting Didina Kyenge via email to Didina.kyenge@aiacanada.com.
The deadline for scholarship applications is June 15, 2017. Selected candidates receive a $1,000 scholarship. While all students are encouraged to apply, priority in awarding scholarships is given to those pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket. As a bonus, a matching grant is awarded to scholarship recipients who become technicians in the automotive aftermarket. Successful applicants may claim their matching grant up to one year after graduation.
Students must be enrolled full-time for the year of the scholarship. For instance, if you apply this year, you must be enrolled for the academic year starting September of this year up to May or June of the following year.
Qualified applicants must either be a graduating high school senior or have graduated from high school within the past two years. Applicants must be enrolled in a college-level program, university or an accredited automotive program. Priority will be given to those pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket. Participants must be attending a full-time program in Canada. Graduate programs and undergraduate part-time programs do not qualify.
To apply, candidates must submit a scholarship application along with an essay indicating why they believe they deserve to receive a scholarship. The essay must be at least 250 words in length and no longer than one page, double-spaced. Applicants must also submit relevant school transcripts and a letter of recommendation from a non-family member, ideally an employer or teacher.
More information on the scholarship program can be found at AIA Canada’s website. The application form can be downloaded at this link.
