After decades of helping Maine students achieve their educational and training goals, the MMTA is pleased to announce exciting changes to the John W. Austin Memorial Scholarship Fund starting with this year’s applicants.
In the past, scholarships have generally been for $1,000 for graduating high school seniors seeking higher education, including technical training, in areas relevant to the motor carrier industry. Starting this year, the number of awards will be limited to nine, but the amount of the awards will be a one-time scholarship payment for up to $2,500 each. As has been the case in the past, the online application will be available starting January 1st and the submission deadline remains May 1st.
Additionally, the criteria to be selected for one of the nine scholarships has changed to reflect an emphasis on careers and instruction specific to the trucking industry in an attempt to focus on technical training. See below for the new qualifications and requirements for applicants.
Please join us in spreading the word about this scholarship opportunity for graduating high school seniors next year. If you know of a student who will be a senior this fall, have them bookmark www.mmta.com/jwa and set a reminder to apply after the first of the year. If you want to contact your school system’s guidance department so they can help promote the scholarship program, you can send them a copy of the promotional letter found HERE.
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO FITS THE CRITERIA – MAKE SURE THEY APPLY!!
We can’t think of a better way to honor the memory of our good friend John Austin than being able to deliver educational opportunities to kids who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
The qualifications for a candidate to be considered for one of the nine scholarships include:
- Candidates must be a graduating high school senior seeking higher education or technical training. Selection preference will be given to those pursuing opportunities in areas directly relevant to the motor transportation industry.
- Candidates must provide high school transcripts along with application.
- Candidates must submit an informal narrative answering the following questions:
- What are your career objectives and how will this training help meet those goals?
- How did you become interested in the career you selected?
- Describe how your prospective education is tied to the trucking industry and why it is important?
- Candidates must submit two letters of recommendation from non-family sources, such as a teacher, counselor, supervisor or local trucking company.
- Scholarships are for one year only.
- Scholarships are awarded without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion.
- Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and information included in the application submission.
- If selected to receive a scholarship, they must provide their first semester transcripts and proof of enrollment in the second semester prior to March 1st in order for the scholarship to be paid.