The GAAS program was launched by several US trade associations to raise scholarship money to support deserving secondary students, college, and university students who want to pursue a career in the automotive aftermarket.
Please note: Students must be enrolled full-time for the year of the scholarship. For instance, if you apply in 2012, you must be enrolled for the September 2012-2013 academic year.
Young people like you, with bright minds and enthusiasm, are the future of the automotive aftermarket. To help launch your career, several automotive aftermarket associations established the Global Aftermarket Symposium Scholarship (GAASS) program in 1996. The program is funded from the net proceeds of the annual Global Automotive Symposium.
Selected candidates receive a $1,000 (Canadian) scholarship. While all students are encouraged to apply, priority in awarding scholarships will be given to those pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket. As a bonus, a matching grant is awarded to scholarship recipients who become technicians in the automotive aftermarket. You may claim your matching grant up to one year after graduation.
Policies
Qualified applicants must either be a graduating high school senior or have graduated from high school within the past two years.
To receive a scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in a college-level program, university or an accredited automotive technical program through either a CAMPE (Canadian Association of Motive Power Educators) college or a CARS approved institute. Contact AIA for a complete list. Students must be enrolled full-time for the year of the scholarship. You must be enrolled for September of the year you are applying until April of the following year.
Priority will be given to those pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket.
Participants must be attending a full-time program in Canada. Graduate programs and undergraduate part-time programs do not qualify.
Employees of Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium associations and their family members are not eligible.
Previous GAAS Scholarship recipients are not eligible.
Submission Requirements
It is imperative that all applications are properly completed as incomplete applications will not be processed.
Scholarship application along with your essay (at least 250 words in length, no longer than one page, double-spaced), indicating why you believe you deserve to be chosen to receive a scholarship.
If you are still attending high school or have graduated but not yet entered your post-secondary program, you must submit a high school transcript. NOTE: Transcripts without an official raised school seal will not be accepted.
If you are attending a post-secondary program, a copy of your current school transcript with official school seal. NOTE: Transcripts without an official raised school seal will not be accepted.
Letter of recommendation (from a non family member, preferably an employer, teacher or someone other than a family friend).
