02/01/2006
CONTACT: Kevin Shivers, (717) 232-8582 or Jim Jennings, (240) 645-4099
Information About 2006 Young Entrepreneur Awards Now Available Online
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- America's largest small-business group wants to help tomorrow's businessmen and businesswomen get a head start in their entrepreneurial life by offering them one of the most exciting scholarship awards in the nation.
The Young Entrepreneur Foundation of the National Federation of Independent Business annually awards $1,000 scholarship awards to high-school seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative in a variety of ways, including test scores, membership in civic organizations such as Junior Achievement or the 4-H, and having already begun a small enterprise of their own.
The deadline for applications is March 15, 2006, but students can get a head start today by logging on to www.NFIB.com/YEF to find out all of the details involved.
The 600,000-member NFIB inaugurated its program in 2003 when it awarded a total of 110 scholarships nationwide. In 2004, the number of awardees more than doubled to 221. Last year the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation awarded 381 scholarships, and it is expecting that to increase to 500 in 2006 thanks to additional financial support from numerous small-business leaders and corporate and foundation supporters. The major corporate sponsor is VISA USA, which donated $100,000 to the national program, including four $5,000 regional winners and one $10,000 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year winner.
"We were able to give 21 students a head start in college last year," said Kevin Shivers, state director for NFIB/Pennsylvania. "I want to see that number rise, especially as more and more people learn about this valuable tool for pursuing their entrepreneurial goals. Small business always has been and always will be the backbone of the American economy, and I am proud of the investment we are making in tomorrow's job creators."
Applicants must be nominated by an NFIB/Pennsylvania small-business owner. For a list of NFIB members in your area, call (800) NFIB-NOW. For more information about applying, log on to www.NFIB.com/YEF.
