ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) has announced the availability of scholarships for students seeking careers as HVACR technicians.

ARI noted that HVACR training programs offer the opportunity for employment in an industry that needs 20,000 to 22,000 new technicians every year. The association’s Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr. Foundation was founded to award scholarships to help fill this need.

The first two stipends of up to $2,000 each will be awarded after the May 1, 2003 deadline for submission of applications. Students are eligible if they attend, or plan to attend, an HVACR training program at an institutionally accredited school. They must be a United States citizen, national or resident alien (resident aliens must include a letter of the nominee's intent to become a United States citizen and a photocopy of the Alien Registration Card) in preparation for a career in either residential air conditioning and heating, light commercial air conditioning and heating, or commercial refrigeration as an entry-level technician.

Applicants must present the following information with their applications by May 1:

Two letters of recommendation from present or past employers, present or former teachers, or other professionals.

Submission of the applicant's prior education and work history/military service.

A typewritten personal statement letter of 150-200 words explaining why the applicant would like to be considered for the Rees Scholarship.

Rees Scholarships are paid directly to the school or institution and can be used for tuition, books, and supplies. The scholarship is named for Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr., who served as president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute from 1994 through 2001. For a scholarship application visit www.reesscholarship.org or write to Rees Scholarship Foundation, 4100 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22203.

Publication date: 04/07/2003