ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Applications are now available for 2006 NACS Jim Yates Scholarships. The deadline to submit applications is May 4.

The Yates Scholarship program annually recognizes employees in the convenience store industry based on their dedication to achieving excellence in retailing, strong leadership skills at the store level, and persistence in the pursuit of education.

The Yates Scholarship is distributed by NACS in honor of the late Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores Inc. Each of ten scholarship winners will receive a $3,000 for costs of career education -- community college or a four-year college -- and complimentary registration, lodging and travel to the NACS Show 2007, which will take place Nov. 5 to 9 in Atlanta.

Applicants must be employees who work for a NACS retail member company. The applicant must be enrolled in, or will be enrolled in, the fall 2007 for undergraduate academic study. Scholarships are one-year awards. Scholarship recipients may reapply each year, for up to four years, if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Many of today’s leaders in the industry got their start at the store level. The Jim Yates Scholarship helps those who never thought they would be able to attain a college degree to opportunity. “The scholarship means so much to me,” says Brenda Rohn, manager for Gas America Services and recipient of the 2006 Yates Scholarship. “I am now able to fulfill a life long dream to go to college.” Of the ten 2006 winners, seven of them are older than age 30 and have been with their company for well over 15 years. 

Companies may nominate multiple applicants for scholarships. For an application or more information, visit NACS Online or contact Erin Mitchell at emitchell@nacsonline.com or (703) 518-4241.