NC Retail Merchants Association Seeks Applicants for $115k in College Scholarships

RALEIGH, N.C. - Jan. 29, 2015 - PRLog -- For North Carolina’s graduating high school seniors, the time from now until March is one of the busiest on the scholarship calendar. Scholarships help students turn their potential into success with a college education, and that success plays an important role in a competitive economy. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), www.ncrma.org, the statewide trade association, is now calling for scholarship applicants with plans to give away 46 awards worth $115k, and this includes 11 more than last year.

“The success of our state, its people and the business climate is based on the vitality of our communities,” said NCRMA President and General Counsel Andy Ellen. “We are dedicated to supporting education for students across our state so that we can connect them to opportunities in the economy.”

Forty-six awards valued at $2,500 each are available through NCRMA and its grocery division, the Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC). The awards are offered to high school and college students to support the 2015-2016 academic year and focus on a retail background to assist those who may want to make retail a career with higher education. Unlike traditional scholarship programs that only reward the highest level of academic achievement, NCRMA and CFIC recognize students whose academic credentials fall within an average to above-average range. Applications and official transcripts must be received or post-marked by Monday, March 2, 2015. For more information or to apply go to: http://www.retailpaysforcollege.org.

Funding for the 46 scholarships is provided through the NC Retail Consumer Alliance Foundation (RCA), a nonprofit retail foundation established in 2008 to foster strong community partnerships between consumers and the retail industry. Every year, the foundation funds an annual educational scholarship program that assists students who are working in the retail industry or students who have parents working in retail, by providing awards that pay for college tuition. The foundation also contributes annually to the Feeding America Food Banks for North and South Carolina.

“Retail powers North Carolina’s economy with both large and small employers, supporting over 1.2 million jobs at headquarters and distribution centers,” said Ellen. “It also works to build a strong and sustainable job market driven by competitive innovation. We want to prepare a younger generation for the work force, and we hope to see many more students applying for retail scholarships.”

About the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association

The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) is a nonprofit trade association organized in 1902 to improve the business climate for retailers in North Carolina.  Over 100 years later, NCRMA remains the voice of the retail industry for North Carolina.  NCRMA represents the interests of individual merchants before the General Assembly and serves as a vital link to state government.  Its credibility lies in its longevity and commitment to serving the ever-changing needs of its members.  The Association’s membership includes more than 25,000 stores from across the state whose business represents 75 percent of North Carolina’s retail sales volume.  NCRMA serves both large and small retailers from multi-state chains to local “mom and pops,” and all types of merchants including antique, apparel, art, automotive, book, carpet, department, drug, electronics, floral, furniture, grocery, hardware, jewelry, paint and variety stores. For more information, visit http://www.ncrma.org/. Think You Know Retail? You may be surprised. Visit www.thisisretailnc.org.