FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11-2-11 600AM

An application for one of America’s most highly regarded and well-publicized scholarship awards in now available online until Dec. 15. The nomination period by a National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) member will run from Feb. 1 to March 1, 2012.

NFIB/California members can help 2012’s graduating high school seniors get a head start in business life with a tax-deductible contribution to the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation (YEF) scholarship award program.

The program was established to raise awareness among the nation’s youth about the critical role that private enterprise and entrepreneurship play in the building of America. Since 2003, the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation has awarded 2,095 scholarships to graduating high school seniors totaling $2,382,000.

Last year, more than 4,500 students nationwide applied for a YEF scholarship. NFIB was proud to award 131 scholarships to young entrepreneurs across the country, including more than 30 California high school seniors, thanks to the financial support from numerous small-business leaders, corporate and foundation supporters.

The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award recipients will attend the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institute of their choice with $1,000 to $10,000 in tuition assistance from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation. In June of this year, NFIB YEF also honored four students selected as $5,000 scholarships winners and named the 2011 Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Dillon Morgan from Malibu, California – who was awarded a $10,000 scholarship.

To qualify for a YEF Award, students must be running their own business. They are required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. Standardized test scores, GPA and class rank are also considered in the selection process. NFIB members around the country nominate applicants for the Young Entrepreneur Awards. An independent, outside committee selects a group of qualified semifinalists.

A tax-deductible donation to the NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation or through your NFIB/California Leadership Council is one of the most effective ways to support the next generation of small-business owners. For complete information on NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation, its programs, awards and ways to join in, call NFIB/California Communications Director Michelle Orrock at 916-448-9904.

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