ARIEF Scholarship Program

The Awards and Recognition Industry Educational Foundation (ARIEF) encourages all eligible undergraduate or trade school students to apply for one of 11 available scholarships offered annually.

These scholarships provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher education in any field. Recipients are selected by an ARIEF Scholarship Committee. This committee conducts blind reviews of candidate applications, letters of recommendation, and essays.

ARIEF scholarships are open to all APA member company employees, their children, or their grandchildren.

Applications will be accepted from Wednesday, September 24, 2025 through Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Applicants must be enrolled in or entering an undergraduate college or trade school program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Graduate students are not eligible for ARIEF Scholarships.
Recipients will be selected by the ARIEF Board of Trustees based on the application materials provided.
All scholarship applicants will be notified of a decision on their application in February 2026.
Recipients will be announced at the International Personalization Expo on February 24-27, 2026.
Scholarship payments will be made directly to the recipient’s school of choice to be applied to tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year.

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“I am extremely grateful for this scholarship! This industry has provided for me all of my life through my father’s business… and for that I am very thankful!”

Larissa Voss

Scholarship Recipient

2025 Scholarship Recipients

Cornerstone Donor Scholarships – $1,000 Awarded

George J. Waas Memorial Scholarship
Anna Humphreys, Soaring Eagle Designs
Hesston, KS

Estelle Funk Memorial Scholarship
Kendra Strickland, Johnny O’s Awards
Aberdeen, NC

JDS Industries Scholarship
Alexa Patey, Trophy Gallery
Lloydminster, CAN

Owen R. Siegel/RS Owens Memorial Scholarship
Dana Jones, IKONICS Imaging
Duluth, MN

Calvin E. Miller Memorial Scholarship
Addalade Campbell, A2Z Trophy
Gilbert, AZ

Chairman Donor Scholarships – $1,000 Awarded

Peter V. Ilaria Memorial Scholarship
Riley Guy, Cowart Awards, Inc
Greenville, SC

Engraving Concepts—Roy Brewer, CRM, Educational Scholarship
Sophie Powers, Engraving Awards & Gifts
Laconia, NH

Presidential Donor Scholarships – $500 Awarded

Award Associates’ Joe Rutherford Memorial Scholarship
Maxwell Voeltner, Marco Awards Group
South Windsor, CT 

Recognition Roundtable Scholarship
Avery Voeltner, Marco Awards Group
South Windsor, CT