PPEF 2013 Scholarship Period Now Open

Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF), based in Irving, Texas, recently announced that the 2013 PPEF scholarship program is now taking applications for the 2013-2014 school year with $100,000 in scholarships to be awarded. Since its inception in 1989, PPEF has awarded approximately $1,042,000 in financial assistance.

Funded by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and donations from the promotional products industry, the scholarship program enables youth and professionals to continue their education on a collegiate level. PPAI and industry patrons have a long-standing commitment of service to the promotional products industry and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment.

Last year, 65 new and 29 renewal scholars were awarded $100,000 in scholarships. Scholarships were awarded to a total of 94 outstanding promotional products industry employees or their children who displayed remarkable academic achievement, extracurricular participation and community service.

The 2013-2014 scholarship application period is now open and the submission deadline is March 15, 2013.

Academic Scholarships Offered

Four-Year College Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Achievement – ($4,000, awarded $1,000 annually for four years)
This scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents entering a four-year accredited college or university as a freshman in the fall of 2013. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Scholarships are renewable for four years of college, provided that the student meets the minimum GPA requirement and current employment in the promotional products industry is maintained by the student or parent.
Chairman’s College Scholarship – ($5,000, awarded $2,500 annually for two years)
This scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents entering their junior year of college, actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an academic field related to promotional products and expressing a clear intent to enter the promotional products industry after graduation. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Scholarships are renewable for the junior and senior years of college, provided that the student meets the minimum GPA requirement and current employment in the promotional products industry is maintained by the student or parent.
Vincent J. Arena Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Vincent J. Arena, former PPAI board member, PPAI Hall of Fame inductee and 2000 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2005, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Castelli North America Inc. Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Sparks, Nevada-based Castelli North America Inc., a supplier of planners, journals and notebooks, this scholarship is available to industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Eugene P. Cesario Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Eugene P. Cesario, MAS, former PPAI and PPEF board member and PPAI Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2012, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.

Glen Holt Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Glen Holt, MAS, CIP, former PPAI and PPEF board member, PPAI Hall of Fame inductee and 1990 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2010, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for George C. Matteson, Jr., CAS, former PPAI and PPEF board member and PPAI Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2011, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Janelle Nevins Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Janelle Nevins, former PPAI and PPEF board member, founding member of the PeerNet Group and 1999 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2012, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
H. Ted Olson Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for H. Ted Olson, MAS, former president of PPAI, PPAI Hall of Fame inductee, Promotional Product Professionals of Canada Hall of Fame inductee and 1995 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2010, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Friends of PPMN Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time industry employee for undergraduate or graduate level coursework at an accredited college or university.
One-Year College Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
This scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.

PPEF Scholarships
Application forms and guidelines are available at www.ppef.us. Application information can also be obtained by contacting Sara Besly at SaraB@ppai.org. Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2013. Winners of the scholarships will be announced in May. Donations can be mailed to PPEF, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038.

About PPEF
PPEF is an industry-based non-profit organization that raises money to help students achieve their higher education goals. PPEF was founded to recognize and encourage scholastic ability and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their children. Since its inception in 1989, PPEF has awarded approximately $1,042,000 in financial assistance.