SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Mission Statement

To foster industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

Previous Winners

"I just want to thank SEMA for giving me this great opportunity!  Being a SEMA Intern in 2006 is the reason I have my dream job!" - Jeffrey Robbins, Technical Sales/Support, Edelbrock; School: UNOH

Chase Steele, SEMA Scholarship recipient in 2005
Worsham Racing, Service clutch on Del Worsham's Nitro Funny Car; School: UNOH

History

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded in 1984 to foster leadership opportunities in the specialty equipment marketplace and support educational goals for students.  Over the past two decades, SEMA Scholarships have supported over 400 students with more than $1,000,000 in scholarship awards.   

The program rewards the best and brightest students engaged in studies leading to a career in the automotive aftermarket or a related field.  For a complete list of the past scholarship winners or to access a SEMA scholarship application, click on the hyperlinks below.

	Past SEMA Memorial Scholarship Winners 2008 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Application 2008 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Application (Canada) 2008 SEMA Loan Forgiveness Application 2007 GAAS Scholarship Application Other Scholarship Resources   Note: Acrobat Reader is required to open and view scholarship applications in PDF format. Please download Acrobat Reader for free here.

SEMA Memorial Scholarships and Eligibility

In response to the rising costs of education, the SEMA Scholarship program was restructured in 2004 to cover a broader base of students attending various universities, colleges, and/or vocational schools in both the United States and Canada.   To further offer incentives for students to apply for SEMA scholarships, the award categories were increased with incentives positioned for the top applicant with the highest academic standing in select categories.

Academic Level	Educational Institution	Scholarship Awards Available
Graduate Studies	4-year accredited University or College	$4,000 * $2,000
Undergraduate Studies – Senior or Junior Class	4-year accredited University or College	$4,000 * $2,000
Undergraduate Studies – Sophomore Class	2-year University or College	$1,000
Vocational or Technical School	2-year Program	$1,000

* Top scoring applicant to receive higher scholarship award based on established evaluation criteria.

Student Qualification Requirements

Loan Forgiveness Scholarships

The Scholarship Committee introduced a Loan Forgiveness Program in 2004 to perpetuate the automotive industry by recruiting college graduates into SEMA-member companies. 

Student/Employee	Outstanding Student Loans	Loan Forgiveness Scholarship Award
Post-graduation with 1-year minimum employment by a SEMA-member company	Confirmed and documented student loans outstanding	$1,000**

 **The award would be paid directly to the loan company with proof of outstanding student loans. 

Loan Forgiveness Scholarship Criteria:

Application Procedure

The scholarship application must be submitted as a complete packet and include:

1. SEMA Memorial Scholarship Application or Loan Forgiveness Application completed in its entirety.  A resume in lieu of a completed application is not acceptable.
2. Official, sealed transcripts for all college or post-secondary course work completed through the first quarter or semester of the current year.   Loan Forgiveness applicants must also provide documentation of outstanding student loans.
3. Personal essay
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation from professor, career counselor, or employer.
5. Current photograph for publication and promotional use.

Do not include photos, copies of personal certificates, awards or other items with the application. These items are not considered part of the application packet and will be discarded.

Selection of Scholarship Recipients

All applications will be reviewed and the scholarship recipients selected by an independent panel of judges from education and business. Neither the staff nor members of Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) will participate in any phase of the selection, nor influence the decisions of the panel. Selection will be based on:

1. Review of the completed application.
2. Review of transcripts and grade point average
3. A personal essay indicating intent to enter the automotive aftermarket or related automotive industry and why you believe you deserve this scholarship.
4. Supporting recommendation letters.
   

Mail the completed application and all supporting documents in one envelope to:

SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund
1575 S. Valley Vista Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Attention: Education Department

The total number of scholarships annually awarded will vary in relation to the number of qualified applicants. A maximum 20% of all scholarship awards will be designated to qualified SEMA-member dependants and/or employees. Any scholarship not claimed within one year of the original date will be voided.

All applications and supporting documents become the property of SEMA and will not be returned. Only fully completed applications with the original supporting documents will be considered. FAX applications will not be accepted.

It remains the responsibility of the applicant to verify that the application and supporting documents are received at SEMA.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship is open to any applicant regardless of age, sex, race, creed, color, ethnic origin or personal beliefs. SEMA employees and their family members are not eligible.

Donor Information

Donations in any amount are accepted and appreciated; since the SEMA Scholarship Fund is a 501-(c)-(3) corporation, all contributions are fully tax deductible.

For more information, contact SEMA Scholarship Fund by e-mail at education@sema.org.

Other Scholarships

Click here to view the 2007 GAAS Scholarship Application.

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