Scholarship applications set recordMRA received a record number of applications for college scholarships for the 2003-04 academic year. A total of 232 high school and college students submitted
applications, according to Scholarship Program Administrators, which oversees
the program for the Association. The previous high was 230 in 2001. A selection panel of educators chosen by Scholarship Program
Administrators was scheduled to meet before the end of April to evaluate
the applicants and award the scholarships. Recipients will be notified
by early May. Employees of MRA-member businesses and sons and daughters
of owners or employees of member businesses are eligible for the awards. The one-year scholarships range from $500 to $1,000, depending
on the type of college or university the student plans to attend in the
fall. A total of $12,000 is available this year from Michigan Retailers
Foundation, the non-profit organization established by MRA to finance
the scholarship program. “The continued strong demand for scholarships underscores
the need to boost the foundation’s assets and increase the number
and size of scholarships,” said MRA’s Larry Meyer, chairman
and CEO. “The foundation has begun an aggressive campaign
to boost assets to more than $1 million. We encourage all members to participate
in the campaign by making tax-deductible contributions. Our ‘Links
to a Legacy’ campaign also provides increasing recognition for
contributors as their donations grow over time—culminating in a named
scholarship for those who contribute $10,000 or more during their lifetime.” Additional information about the scholarship program is
available at: |