Description

2023-2024 Scholarship Program

The ARA Foundation intends to offer the following scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year:

• One scholarship of $5,000 to the top applicant – The Leonard Hawk Founders Scholarship
• One scholarship of $4,000 for the Fred Dupy Memorial to the 2nd top applicant
• Ten scholarships of $3,500 each to college-bound applicants - (associate and bachelor's degree applicants)
• Two scholarships of $3,000 each for graduate-level applicants
• Ten scholarships of $2,000 each for trade school applicants
• Five scholarships of $2,000 each for ARA Student members

The ARA Foundation also administers scholarships for:

• ARA Insurance (one $4,000 scholarship to an ARA insured member)
• ARA of Alabama (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Arkansas (two $2,500 scholarships)
• ARA of California (three $1,500 scholarships)
• ARA of Connecticut (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Florida (three $1,000 scholarships)
• ARA of Georgia (one $2,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Illinois (three $1,000 scholarships)
• ARA of Kentucky (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Michigan (two $1,000 scholarships)
• ARA of Montana (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of New York (two $1,250 scholarships)
• ARA of North Carolina (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Ohio (four $1,000 scholarships)
• ARA of Oklahoma (one $2,500 scholarship)
• ARA Region Two/Ron Marshall Scholarship (two $750 scholarships)
• ARA Region 10/Canada-Dorothy Wellnitz Scholarship (one $1,500 USD scholarship)
• ARA Region 10/ Canada-Doug Mitchell Scholarship (one $1,500 USD scholarship)
• ARA of Tennessee (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Washington (one $1,000 scholarship)
• ARA of Wisconsin (two $1,000 scholarships)
• Texas Rental Association (five $1,500 scholarships)
• Texas Rental Association Bill Loomer Houston Area Rental Association Scholarship (one $3,000 scholarship)

General eligibility requirements include:

• Applicants must be associated with the equipment and event rental industry (either as a student member of the association or with an equipment and event rental operation or a manufacturer/supplier of rental equipment as either of the following:
  • currently employed or working summer and school breaks in the equipment and event rental industry
  • an immediate family member of a business owner (self, son, daughter, stepchild, spouse) in the equipment and event rental industry
• The equipment and event rental industry business does not need to be an ARA member but must qualify for ARA membership.
• Immediate family members of the ARA Foundation board of trustees and ARA affiliated staff are not eligible.

Undergraduate applicant eligibility

• Must be pursuing an undergraduate education (associate or bachelor's degree) that supports a career in the equipment and event rental industry at an accredited university, college, or community college.
• Applicants may be high school or post high school students who have been accepted by an accredited university, college, or community college.
• Part-time attendance will be considered with a minimum enrollment of nine credit hours.
• May apply annually for up to five years.

Trade school applicant eligibility

• Must be pursuing a trade school program that supports a career in the equipment and event rental industry at an accredited trade or technical school, community college, college, or university.
• Applicants may be high school or post high school students who have been accepted by an accredited trade or technical school, community college, college, or university.
• Part-time attendance will be considered with a minimum enrollment of six credit hours.
• May apply annually for up to five years.

Graduate applicant eligibility

• Must be enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited university. The program of study must
• support a career in the equipment and event rental industry.
• Part-time attendance will be considered with a minimum enrollment of six credit hours.
• May apply annually for up to three years.

Student Member applicant eligibility

• Must be a student member of the American Rental Association and be interested in a career in the rental industry.
• Must be pursuing a trade school program that supports a career in the equipment and event rental industry at an accredited trade or technical school, community college, college, or university.
• Applicants must be post high school students who have been accepted by an accredited trade or technical school, community college, college, or university.
• Part-time attendance will be considered with a minimum enrollment of six credit hours.
• May apply annually up to two years.

Scholarship application timeline and review process:

• The scholarship application, essays, school-documented transcripts, and letters of reference must be submitted online by March 6, 2023.
• The Scholarship Committee will review the applications in spring 2023. Scholarship recipients will be notified by telephone in mid-May. Non-selected applicants will receive a letter by May 22. Recipients will be announced in ARA publications. All decisions of the committee are final.
• Scholarship funds will be sent to the college/university of the recipient’s choice by July 31, 2023. The scholarships are valid for that academic year only and cannot be held over without approval of the ARA Foundation board of trustees.
• Questions can be directed to Tracy Johannsen at tracy.johannsen@ararental.org or 309.277.4270.