The Auto Care Association, in partnership with its Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) segment, has launched a new Auto Care Internship Scholarship fund.

This program will provide financial support for students pursuing internships across the country to gain valuable, real-world education in a variety of auto care industry careers.

The Auto Care Internship Scholarship fund is intended for college students majoring in programs that have direct application to the auto care industry, such as engineering, business, communication and information technology (IT). The fund was created to help ease the financial burden of temporary relocation for students who pursue internships in locations more than 100 miles from their permanent address. Scholarships will be in the amount of $2,500 to contribute to the costs of round-trip travel from their permanent address to the internship location, lodging, utilities and food.

“Today, many students are required to participate in an internship or apprenticeship program as part of their degree completion requirements,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Our new program will allow them to consider unique and fulfilling internship opportunities away from their normal residences, while also introducing talented young people to the dynamic careers available in the auto care industry.”

Applicants are required to submit an application and a college transcript, and write a brief essay about their career goals and why the internship will help them achieve those goals. The also are required to submit an Internship Verification Form from the employer, signed by the internship director or hiring manager. Scholarship recipients will be chosen by a selection committee that includes members of AWDA, the Auto Care Association Education Committee and Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG) Advisory Council.

There are 10 scholarships available, and the application deadline is April 20, 2015.

Auto Care Association member companies that currently have an internship program should encourage eligible students to apply for this scholarship. For more information, and the application, visit www.autocarecareers.org or email [email protected].