Big Money in Bad Times: AFSA Offers Scholarships for Struggling Students

DALLAS, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated half of all college students rely on at least a little outside help to fund their education, experts say, and they expect current economic troubles to make competition for scholarships fiercer than ever.

With tuition costs skyrocketing and the economy seemingly plummeting further into the red every day, students should take advantage of all monies available to them, from companies like the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA).

And while it can't do much to address the Wall Street crisis and its continuing economic fallout, this Dallas-based trade group is helping stimulate the nation's economy by providing $20,000 in scholarships -- read, free money -- to our nation's young people.

Safer than Wall Street or the mattress, AFSA's National Scholarship Contest, http://www.afsascholarship.org/, is guaranteed to pay big dividends

-- $20,000 annually, and that money can go a long way to put dreams of a further education -- whether college, university or certified trade school -- within reach.

Since 1996, AFSA has provided nearly a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships to help fulfill the educational dreams of students from across the nation. More than 23,000 applications were received for last year's contest.

This online scholarship is unlike many traditional scholarship essay contests. That's because instead of writing an essay, applicants will read one. That's right! To apply, students go online and read a short essay about sprinklers and fire safety. After finishing, they complete a ten-question quiz on what they just read. Each correct answer gives the student a chance at winning one of ten $2,000 scholarships (maximum 10 chances per entrant). You literally can't go wrong with this scholarship!

To be eligible, applicants must be a high school senior during the 2008-2009 academic year who will attend a college, university or trade school in the United States in fall 2009. Winners are randomly selected to receive a scholarship payable one-time directly to their respective institution of higher learning.

Year after year, students die in campus-related fires. Through this scholarship contest, AFSA hopes to create greater awareness -- and therefore, a safer future -- by educating students who otherwise may not recognize the importance of fire safety.

The AFSA Scholarship is open to U.S. citizens and legal residents. Deadline to enter is April 1, 2009. For details or to apply, visit http://www.afsascholarship.org/.

About AFSA

Established in 1981, the American Fire Sprinkler Association is an international association representing fire sprinkler contractors. AFSA is dedicated to the educational and professional advancement of the automatic fire sprinkler industry.

     Contact:
     D'Arcy Montalvo
     (214) 349-5965 ext. 115
     dmontalvo@firesprinkler.org