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Scholarships

 

Education for the future

The continued success of the equipment and event rental industry depends on the future managers, employees, and manufacturers. The ARA Foundation and its affiliate programs are proud to offer scholarships for continuing education every year.

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Scholarships Available

Leonard Hawk Founders Scholarship

One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the top applicant. This scholarship is named after one of the founders and first president of the American Rental Association.

ARA Insurance Scholarship

One $4,000 scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who works for an ARA Insurance-covered business or is an immediate family member of the business owner.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Ten $3,500 scholarships will be awarded to applicants pursuing their associate's or bachelor's degree.

Graduate Scholarships

Two $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to applicants pursuing their master's degree.

Trade School Scholarships

Ten $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students pursing a certification or degree through a trade/technical/vocational program.

Student Member Scholarships

Five $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to individuals who are active Student Members of ARA

Affiliate Scholarships

Various state and regional associations sponsor scholarships as well. The scholarships range from $750 to $2,000.

General Requirements

General Requirements

General Requirements

General Requirements

General Requirements

The applicant must be associated with the equipment and event rental industry (either with an equipment and event rental operation or manufacturer/supplier of rental equipment) as either of the following:

  • Currently employed in the equipment and event rental industry or an immediate family member (self, son, daughter, stepchild or spouse) of a business owner in the equipment/event rental industry. The applicant’s business does not need to be an ARA member, but it must qualify for ARA membership.
  • Immediate family members of the ARA Foundation board of trustees and ARA affiliated staff are not eligible.
  • The scholarship application, essays, school-documented transcripts and letters of reference must be submitted online.
  • The Scholarship Committee will review the applications. Scholarship recipients will be notified by telephone and mail. Recipients will be announced in ARA publications. All decisions are final.

Specific Requirements for Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships

Must be pursuing an undergraduate education (associate, bachelor or trade/technical degree) or graduate program 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 if the number of hours attending school is at least nine credit hours. May apply annually up to five years.

Student Member Applicant Requirements 

Must be a student member of the American Rental Association and be interested in a career in the rental industry.

Must be pursuing a 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.

Trade School Applicant Requirements

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 university, college or community college. Part-time attendance will be considered if the number of hours attending school is at least six credit hours. May apply annually up to five years.

Frequently asked questions

  • Who is eligible?

    Students in the U.S. and Canada who are planning a career in the equipment ...

    Students in the U.S. and Canada who are planning a career in the equipment rental industry and working in or affiliated with a rental business or manufacturer/supplier of rental equipment may apply. Employees and immediate family members of the business owner (son, daughter, stepchild, spouse) also are eligible.
  • When should I apply?

    You should apply between Dec. 1, when the scholarship applications become available, and the first Monday in March....

    You should apply between Dec. 1, when the scholarship applications become available, and the first Monday in March. Use school breaks to start working on the essays and gathering letters of reference. To qualify for the 2023-2024 school year, online, applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Mailed transcripts and references must be postmarked by that same date. Do not wait until the last minute because that makes it more difficult to offer well-reasoned answers to the essay questions and collect your letters of reference.
  • What scholarships are available?

    Scholarships worth a total value of $128,500 ...

    Scholarships worth a total value of $128,500 are available. Click here to see available scholarships.
  • Who am I competing with for scholarships?

    If you apply for the ARA Foundation Trade scholarships, you are competing with other applicants ...

    If you apply for the ARA Foundation Trade scholarships, you are competing with other applicants for those scholarships. If you apply for the ARA Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships, you are competing with fellow undergraduates. If you apply for the Graduate Scholarships, you are competing with fellow students who are applying for that scholarship. In addition, if your state or provincial association offers affiliate scholarships, you are competing with fellow students in your state or province for those scholarships.
  • Can I receive more than one scholarship?

    Yes...

    Yes, many students receive multiple scholarships, making the financial assistance even more significant.
  • If I receive a scholarship one year, can I apply the next year?

    Yes. Each scholarship is available for one year. You may reapply...

    Yes. Each scholarship is available for one year. You may reapply for up to five years. Many students have received scholarships every year of their college or trade school education.
  • How are applications judged?

    The Scholarship Committee reviews the applications, ...

    The Scholarship Committee reviews the applications, essays, school-documented transcripts and letters of reference that each applicant submits. Each area is judged using a point system that relies solely on the strength of the information given. Applicants’ names and identifying information are removed to ensure anonymity and confidentiality.
  • When will the recipients be selected?

    The Scholarship Committee will review the applications in spring 2023. Scholarship recipients ...

    The Scholarship Committee will review the applications in spring 2023. Scholarship recipients will be notified by telephone by mid-May. Nonselected applicants will receive a letter by the end of May. Recipients will be announced in ARA publications. All decisions are final.
  • How are the funds distributed to my college/university?

    Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the ...

    Scholarship funds will be sent directly 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.