 APRO: The Official Voice of the Rent to Own Industry
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 What is APRO?
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What is APRO? - APRO's Scholarship Foundation
$3000 Scholarship Winners
Kaylie Scherer, Indiana University
Faith Jennings, University of Kentucky APRO Sponsor: Brent Jennings, Rent-A-Center
Dean’s List every semester but one. 3.7 GPA.
$2500 Scholarship Winners
Jennifer DeBouse, Capella University Aaron's University Training Administrator
Jennifer helped create an alliance with Aaron’s and Capella University creating and Alliance Partnership Agreement to help Aarons associates attain a college degree. When Jennifer isn’t helping at Aaron’s, she volunteers for Second Chance Career and Development Center, Project Healthy Grandparents and Hope House for Women.
Chad Jasman, University of Michigan APRO Sponsor: James Jasman, Rent-A-Center
Chad plays college baseball and was named on the 2010 NJCAA Academic All-American team. When Chad is not fielding baseballs, he is volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and the local homeless shelter.
Kiersten Scheele, University of Toledo APRO Sponsor: Jerry Scheele, Rent-A-Center
At the University of Toledo, she is a member of the Dean’s list and was recently accepted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society due to her academic excellence. Kiersten also spent her freshman and sophomore years volunteering for the American Red Cross and 80 hours of volunteer work for children with disabilities to help her fulfill her goal obtaining a degree in occupational therapy.
$2000 Scholarship Winners
Christian Dunlap, Southern State Community College APRO Sponsor: Nancy Dunlap, Countryside Rentals
Christian also took time out as a mentor and tutor fellow classmates. Christian will be attending Southern State Community College to then transfer to Ohio State University.
Tyler Heck, Union Collate at Schenectady, New York APRO Sponsor: Greg Heck, Great Rentals
Tyler has seen firsthand the power of rent-to-own to give those Americans “the opportunity to make the unaffordable affordable”. Tyler maintains a 3.95 GPA while starting for the Division III College Baseball team.
Jafon Fearson, University of Alabama APRO Sponsor: Shirley Fearson, Rent-A-Center
Jafon is in his senior year at the University of Alabama pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree. Jafon knows the struggles of the African American males face during their educational pursuits so has spent his years at UA helping other African American males finish their degrees through the Blazer Male Excellence Network.
$1500 Scholarship Winners
Kassie Barroso, Ivy Tech at Anderson, Indiana APRO Sponsor: Joseph Stepke, Aaron’s
Kassie spent her High School lettering in concert band and on the Rugby team. She participated in the ROTC and many other school activities.
Robert Sonnenfelt, St. Louis University APRO Sponsor: Paul Sonnenfelt, Aaron’s
He continues his political involvement at SLU as an active member of the College Republicans and the Student Conduct Board.
Matthew Bowen, Francis Marion University APRO Sponsor: Kenneth Bowen, Rent-A-Center
Matthew gives back as much as possible through Toys for Tots donations, canned food and clothing drives to the point of being “happily dunked in a dunking booth for hours” for these causes.
$1000 Scholarship Winners
Dusty Ray, Vincennes University Rent One Regional Manager
Dusty is an active member of the local chamber of commerce volunteering time and efforts for the many community events both as a Rent One employee and as a citizen.
Christopher Willman-Bunge, Penn State – Mont Alto APRO Sponsor: Martha Willman, Blue Ribbon Rentals
He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with a specialty World Conservation Award. He plans to pursue English as a writer/reporter.
Michael Elkik, University of Georgia APRO Sponsor: Ann Elkik, Aaron’s
Michael was president of DECA, the school’s business club and winning business competitions at the local, state and international levels.
Brittany Smith, North Carolina State University APRO Sponsor: Shawna Smith, Rent-A-Center
She was awarded a fellowship from the Organizational Science Summer Institute and studied abroad in Mexico. Brittany has volunteered for Salvation Army. Tutors middle school children as a part of work-study program and volunteers for the “Strengthening the Black Family” non-profit helping with diabetes prevention and promoting health and wellness.
Jordan Miller, Virginia Tech APRO Sponsor: John Miller, Premier Rentals
He also donates his time and labor to the poor and elderly and now serves on his church's parish council.
Cole Weir, Brigham Young University APRO Sponsor: Mike Weir, TUR, Inc. dba Aaron’s
He spent most of his energy on the wrestling team working up to team captain while excelling in his studies.
2011 APRO Member Franchise Company, Rent n Roll, Dedicated Scholarships
$2500 Scholarship Winners
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| Stay tuned to this webpage for application details for APRO's 2012 APRO Scholarships. |
Requirements for APRO College Scholarship Applicants:
Must be an employee or child of an employee of an APRO member company in good standing.
A current grade point average of 3.0 or better.
Must fill out an application with a narrative essay why you are the best candidate for the scholarship and the value of rent-to-own in the United States.
VERY IMPORTANT: YOU MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF COLLEGE ADMISSION AND 3.0 G.P.A.
The first half of the scholarship is awarded immediately. The second half is awarded after proof of 3.0 G.P.A. when the semester completed.
Priorities for APRO Scholarship Award:
Financial need.
Academic Excellence. The student's grade point average is a very important determinant when judging.
Extra curricular/Charitable activities. Judges weigh a student's involvement in charitable organizations, extra curricular participation and community involvement. These types of activities are extremely important for the judging process.
Your written and submitted narrative of why you deserve the scholarship based on the priorities above.
Donate to APRO's Scholarship Foundation
The APRO Scholarship Foundation has raised its minimum of $100,000, from which to generate annual interest to award scholarships each year. The APRO Scholarship Foundation's ultimate goal is to raise $1,000,000. Member contributions are actively being sought and can be made here or with in conjunction with the payment of annual APRO membership dues. Look to your dues billing on your APRO membership form to donate to this worthy cause. Donations are tax deductible. For more information regarding the APRO Scholarship Foundation, contact APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May by e-mail.
| Click here to meet APRO's Past Scholarship Winners |
Join APRO Today!
For more information: 800/204-2776, ext. 109 Fax 512/794-0097 E-mail Shelley Martinek, APRO's member services director |
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RTOHQ: The Magazine
RTOHQ: The Magazine is the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations' award-winning rent-to-own industry magazine, and it's available here. | |||
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CLICK HERE FOR OUR DIGITAL RTOHQ: THE MAGAZINE
RTOHQ: The Magazine’s upgraded digital format APRO's new, mobile-ready magazine is now available in addition to our print edition. The digital format provides the same informative content as our printed magazine, but also offers tools to make the reading experience more enriching. Access the table of contents page with one click or tap. Get additional information from advertisers by clicking on the links in their ads. The interface is easy to navigate and requires no special app—read our magazine on your computer, digital table or smartphone. Click here to access the digital version of RTOHQ: The Magazine November-December 2011.
Marketing Matters This year marks the launch of a marketing campaign initiated by APRO to build the rent-to-own customer base. It will be a multi-year endeavor employing multiple strategies. In this and upcoming issues of our magazine, we will address the many facets of marketing that affect our industry.
Striving for an A with the BBB by William E. Freeland Consumers often refer to the Better Business Bureau's ratings to help them make rental and purchasing decisions. National Rent-to-Own's human resource manager outlines the steps every RTO company should pursue to help earn an A+ from the BBB.
Creating an Extraordinary Customer Experience by Bill Keese Apple does it. Southwest Airlines does it. Can the rent-to-own industry also garner a national reputation for exceptional service and, in the process, attract new customers?
BB and BBQ on Beale Street Memphis' reputation for tremendous food, groundbreaking music and Southern charm is well deserved. It's not too early to start planning your trip there next July for APRO's 2012 Rent-to-Own Convention and Trade Show.
Card Talk by Ed Winn III Credit and debit card payments are on the rise in rent-to-own. So are the risks in keeping such transactions secure.
Rent-to-Own Families, Part VI by Kristen Card No, you're not seeing double, or are you? Our latest profiles of kindred colleagues include two sets of twins-the Botkins and the Kimbles. And in Kansas, a son and daughter help their dad keep business running Strong.
Future issues of APRO's magazine will be available in this same new format. Click here to access past issues that are not yet archived in the new interface.
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Association of Progressive Rental Organizations 1504 Robin Hood Trail Austin, Texas 78703 800/204-2776, ext. 103 Fax 512/794-0097 |