What is APRO? - APRO's Scholarship Foundation

Requirements for APRO College Scholarship Applicants:

Must be an employee or child of an employee of an APRO member company in good standing.

A current grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Must fill out an application with a narrative essay why you are the best candidate for the scholarship and the value of rent-to-own in the United States.

VERY IMPORTANT: YOU MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF COLLEGE ADMISSION AND 3.0 G.P.A.

 

Optional, but not required: Reference letters from college or high school teachers/counselors/etc.

The first half of the scholarship is awarded immediately. The second half is awarded after proof of 3.0 G.P.A. when the semester completed.


Priorities for APRO Scholarship Award:

Financial need.

Academic Excellence. The student's grade point average is a very important determinant when judging.

Extra curricular/Charitable activities. Judges weigh a student's involvement in charitable organizations, extra curricular participation and community involvement. These types of activities are extremely important for the judging process.

Your written and submitted narrative of why you deserve the scholarship based on the priorities above.

 

 

(Please read below the past recipients to view the winners' stories as guidance.)
 

Meet the 2011 Educational Scholarship winners. Congratulations!

 

 

$3000 Scholarship Winners

 

Kaylie Scherer, Indiana University
APRO Sponsor: Rick Sherer, American Rentals

Both Kaylie’s grandmother and father have worked for American Rentals for twenty years so “rent-to-own has always been a part of my life”. Kaylie graduated high school in the national honor society with an Academic Honors Diploma. She was recently accepted into the Washington Leadership Program where she spent a semester in Washington, D.C. as an intern. During her college years, Kaylie travelled to Mexico to help build homes for the homeless. She has also volunteered for Special Olympics, the Community Kitchen, the local food bank, nursing homes and teaching gardening at the local elementary schools.

 

 

 

Faith Jennings, University of Kentucky

APRO Sponsor: Brent Jennings, Rent-A-Center 

Faith’s high school credits include captain of the speech team and academic team. She was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and a member of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar. She was Salutatorian of her graduating class that led her to the University of Kentucky. She has spent her first two years there participating in “UK Fusion” where she and classmates volunteer in community service events in Lexington. She has already donated 60 hours of community service while maintaining a 3.7 GPA earning a spot on the Dean’s List every semester but one.

 

 

Dean’s List every semester but one. 3.7 GPA.

 
 

$2500 Scholarship Winners

Jennifer DeBouse, Capella University

Aaron's University Training Administrator

Jennifer has worked for Aarons for the past three years. She manages the Aaron’s University database, schedules training sessions and provides technical support for Aaron’s University issues.

 

Jennifer helped create an alliance with Aaron’s and Capella University creating and Alliance Partnership Agreement to help Aarons associates attain a college degree. When Jennifer isn’t helping at Aaron’s, she volunteers for Second Chance Career and Development Center, Project Healthy Grandparents and Hope House for Women.

 

Chad Jasman, University of Michigan

APRO Sponsor: James Jasman, Rent-A-Center 

Chad grew up with rent-to-own watching his father work for the rent-to-own industry for nearly 20 years.  Chad graduated High School with a 4.0 GPA and being named as an academic all state athlete.

 

Chad plays college baseball and was named on the 2010 NJCAA Academic All-American team.  When Chad is not fielding baseballs, he is volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the local homeless shelter.

 

Kiersten Scheele, University of Toledo

APRO Sponsor: Jerry Scheele, Rent-A-Center 

Kiersten graduated high school with a 4.0 and an Honors Diploma. She volunteered for the local animal shelter and the Salvation Army while working her part-time job.

 

At the University of Toledo, she is a member of the Dean’s list and was recently accepted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society due to her academic excellence. Kiersten also spent her freshman and sophomore years volunteering for the American Red Cross and 80 hours of volunteer work for children with disabilities to help her fulfill her goal obtaining a degree in occupational therapy.

 

 

$2000 Scholarship Winners

 

Christian Dunlap, Southern State Community College

APRO Sponsor: Nancy Dunlap, Countryside Rentals 

Christian recently graduated high school with a 3.98 GPA as a member of the National Honors Society. Christian spent his high school years as a treasurer for the 4H club, High School Football Captain and the FFA.

 

Christian also took time out as a mentor and tutor fellow classmates. Christian will be attending Southern State Community College to then transfer to Ohio State University.

 

Tyler Heck, Union Collate at Schenectady, New York

APRO Sponsor: Greg Heck, Great Rentals 

Tyler spent his life working at his father’s Great Rentals rent-to-own stores in Utica and Rome, NY.

 

Tyler has seen firsthand the power of rent-to-own to give those Americans “the opportunity to make the unaffordable affordable”. Tyler maintains a 3.95 GPA while starting for the Division III College Baseball team.  

 

Jafon Fearson, University of Alabama

APRO Sponsor: Shirley Fearson, Rent-A-Center 

RAC’s Shirley Fearson spent many years working hard for her family so her son Jafon made sure to honor her obtaining a college degree while helping others to do the same.

 

Jafon is in his senior year at the University of Alabama pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree. Jafon knows the struggles of the African American males face during their educational pursuits so has spent his years at UA helping other African American males finish their degrees through the Blazer Male Excellence Network.

 

 

$1500 Scholarship Winners

 

Kassie Barroso, Ivy Tech at Anderson, Indiana

APRO Sponsor: Joseph Stepke, Aaron’s 

Kassie is off to college “as a tribute to her hero” – her dad Joseph Stepke from Aarons. Joseph sacrificed years of hard work to make sure Kassie had the chance for college and she wants to thank her father and mother with a teaching degree.

 

Kassie spent her High School lettering in concert band and on the Rugby team. She participated in the ROTC and many other school activities.

 

Robert Sonnenfelt, St. Louis University

APRO Sponsor: Paul Sonnenfelt, Aaron’s 

Robert is a sophomore at St. Louis University pursuing a degree in Political Science. Robert spent his High School years as a member of the Model United Nations, varsity soccer and the National Honor Society.

 

He continues his political involvement at SLU as an active member of the College Republicans and the Student Conduct Board.

  

Matthew Bowen, Francis Marion University

APRO Sponsor: Kenneth Bowen, Rent-A-Center 

Matthew has excelled in education all of his life. He graduated high school with a weighted 4.297 GPA and maintains a 4.0 GPA at Francis Marion University.

 

Matthew gives back as much as possible through Toys for Tots donations, canned food and clothing drives to the point of being “happily dunked in a dunking booth for hours” for these causes.

 

 

$1000 Scholarship Winners

 

Dusty Ray, Vincennes University

Rent One Regional Manager 

Rent One “Regional Manager of the Year” Dusty Ray is completing his marketing degree at Vincennes University. Dusty was also Rent One’s “Employee of the Year”.

 

Dusty is an active member of the local chamber of commerce volunteering time and efforts for the many community events both as a Rent One employee and as a citizen. 

 

Christopher Willman-Bunge, Penn State – Mont Alto

APRO Sponsor: Martha Willman, Blue Ribbon Rentals

Christopher grew up in a one-parent household and knows the financial hardships well. While in high school, Christopher participated in the orchestra and choir.

 

He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with a specialty World Conservation Award. He plans to pursue English as a writer/reporter. 

 

Michael Elkik, University of Georgia

APRO Sponsor: Ann Elkik, Aaron’s 

Michael graduated high school with a weighted 4.1 GPA and an un-weighted 3.8 GPA. During high school, Michael worked with “Shop with a Mustang” sponsoring an underprivileged child.

 

Michael was president of DECA, the school’s business club and winning business competitions at the local, state and international levels.

 

Brittany Smith, North Carolina State University

APRO Sponsor: Shawna Smith, Rent-A-Center 

Brittany completed her junior year at North Carolina State University. Her family grew up struggling through economic hard times but always kept a focus on education.

 

She was awarded a fellowship from the Organizational Science Summer Institute and studied abroad in Mexico. Brittany has volunteered for Salvation Army. Tutors middle school children as a part of work-study program and volunteers for the “Strengthening the Black Family” non-profit helping with diabetes prevention and promoting health and wellness.

 

Jordan Miller, Virginia Tech

APRO Sponsor: John Miller, Premier Rentals 

Jordan Miller graduated high school with a 3.9 GPA earning him admission to Virginia Tech. Jordan is actively involved in his church, helping the under-served on church missions in Memphis and Baltimore.

 

He also donates his time and labor to the poor and elderly and now serves on his church's parish council. 

 

Cole Weir, Brigham Young University

APRO Sponsor: Mike Weir, TUR, Inc. dba Aaron’s 

Cole just graduated high school with a 3.78 GPA. Cole demonstrated his leadership skills through his school’s wrestling and football team.

 

He spent most of his energy on the wrestling team working up to team captain while excelling in his studies.

 

 

 

 

2011 APRO Member Franchise Company, Rent n Roll, Dedicated Scholarships

 

$2500 Scholarship Winners

Brandon Burrell, Rent-n-Roll/Baber's, Mobile, AL

Jessica Darnell, Rent-n-Roll, Rogers, AR

Kelly Pierce, RNR Custom Wheels, Las Vegas, NV

 

Donate to APRO's Scholarship Foundation

The APRO Scholarship Foundation has raised its minimum of $100,000, from which to generate annual interest to award scholarships each year. The APRO Scholarship Foundation's ultimate goal is to raise $1,000,000. Member contributions are actively being sought and can be made here or with in conjunction with the payment of annual APRO membership dues. Look to your dues billing on your APRO membership form to donate to this worthy cause. Donations are tax deductible. For more information regarding the APRO Scholarship Foundation, contact APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May by e-mail.