Competition starting for
MRA scholarship awards

The Michigan Retailers Association’s annual college scholarship competition is underway.

At least 40 scholarships of $1,000 ($500 for community college) are expected to be available to MRA members, employees and their children who will be attending college in the 2008-2009 academic year. The program has provided 173 scholarships to students since it was revised and expanded in 1999.

Those eligible to apply 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 since January 1, 2007; or

• Part-time employees who are full-time students. Part-time employees must have been employed by an MRA-member business since July 1, 2007.

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 in January. Applications must be submitted to Scholarship Program Administrators by April 1. Students may complete the application process online through a link at www.retailers.com (the access code is MIRA).

Students may also contact Laura Adkins at 800.366.3699 or ladkins@retailers.com by March 15 to request an application by mail.

Recipients are selected for their above-average academic performance and extracurricular activities. Financial need is not a consideration.

Named scholarships—created to honor legacy contributors to the scholarship program—will be awarded to nine students in 2008.

MRA’s annual scholarship program is funded by interest earned on the assets of Michigan Retailers Foundation. Retailers are encouraged to consider the foundation in their giving plans.

To contribute, contact MRA’s Adkins at 800.366.3699 or ladkins@retailers.com. Contributions to the non-profit foundation are tax-deductible.