For Immediate Release
February 4, 2004

LANSING — The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) has launched an expanded college scholarship competition for the 2004-05 school year. At least 21 scholarships will be awarded to benefit MRA members and their employees—six more than last year—and the scholarship amount for students attending public universities has been raised to $1,000— $250 more than last year.

"The scholarship program is a way MRA can give something back to members and their employees and families by helping make a college degree more affordable," said MRA Chairman and CEO Larry Meyer. "We are pleased to be able to expand the program and offer more scholarships this year."

To be eligible, the student applicant or the student’s parent or guardian must be employed at a business that is a member of MRA. The Association has more than 5,800 retail business members that operate more than 13,000 stores across the state.

High school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors may apply for the scholarships. Students who will attend public or private colleges or universities will receive $1,000; those who will attend community colleges will receive $500. Awards are not based on financial need.

The scholarships are funded by Michigan Retailers Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization established by MRA. The expanded program is made possible by the Foundation’s "Links to a Legacy" fundraising campaign to raise assets to $1 million by 2005. Halfway through the campaign, the drive has reached 60 percent of its goal.

The competition is managed by Scholarship Program Administrators of Nashville, Tennessee.

Employees at MRA-member businesses may contact their employer for an application request form or call Scholarship Program Administrators at 615.320.3149. Applicants may also request an application online through MRA’s website at www.retailers.com (the access code is MIRA).

Applications must be requested by March 15 and submitted by April 1.

The Michigan Retailers Association is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation’s largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers. MRA’s nearly 6,000 retail business members operate more than 13,000 stores across the state.

Note: William Strauss, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, can be reached at 312.322.8151.