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2010 Retail as a Career Scholarship Program

Over $75,000 in Scholarships and Benefits Available!

Retail Council of Canada, in partnership with industry sponsors, will award more than $75,000 in scholarships and benefits to students entering or currently enrolled in a business, marketing or retail-related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Students who receive the scholarships will not only benefit from financial assistance for their post-secondary education, but will also attend STORE 2010 in Toronto where they will have the opportunity to engage with the brightest professionals in the Canadian retail industry.

A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded by Interac Association to the top Retail as a Career Scholarship applicant, whose name will not be disclosed until STORE 2010.

26 scholarships are available this year — one (1) $5,000 Interac Scholarship in addition to twenty-five (25) $1,000 Industry-Sponsored Scholarships.

Each scholarship winner will receive the following:

• Financial assistance for their post-secondary education.
• Hotel and travel expenses to attend STORE 2010, the Canadian retail industry's premier conference, which will be held over May 31 – June 1. While in attendance at STORE 2010, recipients of the scholarships will have the opportunity to sit in on educational sessions and network with top industry professionals.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2010
> 2010 Scholarship Application

> 2009 Scholarship Winners

Scholarship Application Process

Who is eligible to apply?

• To be considered for one of the scholarships applicants must meet the following criteria:
  
  • Enrolled full-time or part-time at a Canadian college or university in Fall 2010.
  • Pursuing a retail, business or marketing-related program.
  • Currently working part-time or full-time within the retail industry.

What do applicants need in order to apply?

• Completed application and release form
• Official transcript from either high school or post-secondary institution
• A reference letter (200 words max.) from current employer that includes the following:
  
  • Applicant's demonstrated and continued commitment to the retail industry
  • Ways in which the applicant has distinguished him/herself from other employees
  • Reasons indicating why the applicant is deserving of this scholarship
  • Current employer/supervisor contact information
• A typed essay (500-700 words) that answers the following question:
  Retail — like most industries in Canada — felt the effects of a challenging year in 2009. Due to a weakened economy, the advent of mobile technology and the increasing importance being placed on social responsibility, consumer behaviour is changing like never before. Because of these driving factors, retailers are now faced with a need to change the way they look at their consumer and to develop best practice that suits the needs of their consumer and the profitability of their business.

  Based on your experience, what does the new consumer look like? And how can you leverage your training, education and knowledge to meet the demands of the New Consumer?

• Proof of applicant's enrollment in a Canadian post-secondary institution. One of the following will suffice:
  
  • Letter of acceptance or conditional letter of acceptance
  • Proof of tuition payment
  • Letter from Office of Registrar

Please note: This scholarship program is for students who are enrolled in or applying to retail, business or marketing post-secondary programs. If you are not in one of these programs, your application will NOT be considered.

Forward your application to:
Retail as a Career Scholarship Program
c/o Retail Council of Canada
1255 Bay Street, Suite 800
Toronto, ON M5R 2A9

Retail Council of Canada must receive applications on or before Friday, April 1, 2010. Late applications will not be considered.

How are the applications processed?

• Applications will be reviewed by a panel of retail industry experts.
• Every effort will be made to engage a cross-section of Canadian industry professionals who possess a range of experience in the review process.

When will applicants know if they're submission has been successful?

• The review process typically takes about four weeks.
• A decision will be made on or around May 2, 2010.

What does the selection process involve?

• Applicant's submissions will be evaluated on the criteria outlined in the "What do applicants need in order to apply?" section.
• We are looking to see that applicants have demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in retail and have put some thought into how they are going to make an impact on the retail industry.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors who help support the program.

Sponsors