The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship committee announced the awarding of scholarships to 59 American students pursuing aftermarket careers in 2009, and said sponsors donated more than $10,000 that will fund a second round of awards soon.


The students include 54 recipients of GAAS $1,000 awards and five recipients of the Breslow Foundation $2,000 scholarships. Awards given to Canadian students will be announced in June. In the history of the scholarship program, more than 1,400 students have received aid totaling approximately $1.4 million.

"Even in this time of economic difficulty, GAAS continues to ensure a strong future talent pool for automotive aftermarket companies and service outlets," said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the scholarship committee. "With the support of the GAAS proceeds and additional donations, we have the opportunity to help these well-qualified, deserving students reach their goal of pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket."

GAAS scholarships are funded through proceeds from the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. This sponsors include AAIA Leadership Development Network, Michael Busch Memorial Fund, Art Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund, Peter and Lorraine Kornafel, Multi-Parts Supply, RL Polk, Kathleen Schmatz, Udell Family Foundation, University of the Aftermarket Foundation, and Zurich.

"Our efforts to increase collaboration with other automotive and aftermarket groups resulted in a near record number of applications this year at the GAAS scholarship Web site from students seeking automotive scholarships," Kornafel said. "By working together, we are benefiting the students who can submit one application and be considered for multiple scholarships."

Collaborating were Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee, Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast, Association of Diesel Specialists, Automotive Parts & Services Association and its Illinois affiliate, Arizona/California/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler's Association, Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association, New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association, and Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association. All these groups have their own criteria and select their own scholarship recipients.

To be eligible for a GAAS scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or an automotive technical program certified by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation. Graduate programs and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify. Some recipients can receive second matching awards. These are students who graduate from their programs and show proof of employment as technicians in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months.

GAAS Scholarship applications for 2010 will be available online at www.automotivescholarships.com beginning in September 2009. The deadline for submitting 2010 scholarship applications is March 31, 2010.

The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. This two-day program brings together numerous industry executives and examines the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket industry and influencing its future. More details, including the 2010 Symposium dates and location, are at www.globalsymposium.org.

Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org.