PPEF Announces 2016 Scholarship Winners

Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF), Irving, Texas, a nonprofit founded to recognize and encourage scholastic excellence and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their children, today announced 102 winners of $150,000 in academic scholarships. PPEF has awarded more than $1.56 million in financial assistance to 926 recipients since 1989.

The organization awarded scholarships to outstanding promotional products industry employees or their children, 76 new and 26 renewals, who displayed remarkable academic achievement, extracurricular participation and community service. Each will receive between $1,000 and $8,000 to support their college educations.

To view the list of recipients, click here.

“PPEF continues to award both merit and need-based scholarships with an increased emphasis on helping those with the most need," said Pat Dugan, PPEF's chairman. "PPEF is now awarding two-thirds of its funding to students who qualify for financial need. The scholarships provide much needed funds to cover the increasing costs of earning a college degree. Not only that, but the recipients also tell us how the scholarships boost their confidence by acknowledging their past successes and accomplishments. I want to thank PPEF’s donors for providing their generous and inspirational support to the next generation.”

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. The association 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.

PPEF Scholarships are presented in the following categories:

Four-Year College Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Achievement –($4,000, merit-based, awarded $1,000 annually for four years; $8,000, need-based, awarded $2,000 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 freshmen in the fall of 2016. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Scholarships are renewable for the four years of college, provided that the student meets the minimum GPA requirement and the student or parent maintains current employment in the promotional products industry.

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 the student or parent maintains current employment in the promotional products industry is maintained by the student or parent.

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, merit-based; $2,000, need-based, 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.

Named Scholarship - ($1,000, nonrenewable)

Named for various icons of the promotional products industry, these scholarships are available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate colleges or universities. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Current named scholarships honor Vincent J. Arena, Castelli North America, Eugene P. Cesario, Jayne Emoff Miller, Gauger Family, Glen Holt, Helen and Al Mackler, Joseph Alexander, George C. Matteson Jr., Janelle Nevins, NWPMA Success, H. Ted Olson, PPAChicago, Sam Rosenblum, Marvin Spike, H.D. Joe Stratton, and Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association.

For more information on PPEF, visit www.ppef.us.