MRA scholarships climb to record 26

The Michigan Retailers Association’s annual college scholarship competition begins February 1. A record 26 scholarships of $1,000 will be available to MRA members, employees and their children who will be attending college in the 2005-2006 academic year.

Those eligible to apply for an MRA scholarship are high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are:

• Dependent sons and daughters of owners or full-time employees of MRA-member businesses. The parent-employee must have been employed by an MRA-member business for at least one year as of January 1, 2005 (must have begun employment by January 1, 2004);

or

• Part-time employees who are full-time students. Part-time employees must have been employed by an MRA-member business for at least six months as of January 1, 2005 (must have begun employment by July 1, 2004).

Scholarship recipients are selected by an independent panel of educators chosen by Scholarship Program Administrators of Nashville, Tennessee, which coordinates the application and selection process for MRA and many other associations and companies.

Members will receive detailed information about the scholarship program via mail. Applications must be requested by March 15 and submitted by April 1. Students also have the option to complete the application process online at www.scholarshipadministrators.net (the access code is MIRA) or request an application by mail at rlachance@retailers.com.

Awards are $500 for community college and $1,000 for public or private colleges. Recipients are selected for their above-average academic performance and extracurricular activities. Financial need is not a consideration.

The scholarship program increased substantially last year, when the number of scholarships awarded jumped from 15 to 22 and the amount awarded to students at public institutions increased to $1,000 from $750.

The increases reflected greater assets in the Michigan Retailers Foundation, due to the ongoing “Links to a Legacy” fundraising campaign. Interest earnings from the assets are used to provide the scholarships.