Mitchell 1 Automotive Technology Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Mitchell 1
Overview
This annual scholarship, sponsored by Mitchell 1, is awarded at the NACAT Conference and Awards Dinner. It recognizes one outstanding U.S. or Canadian student — either a high school senior or a college student — for scholastic excellence in automotive technology/auto shop repair.
Scholarship award
- Prize: $2,500 scholarship plus a separate $500 check.
- Travel: Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for the winner and one guest to attend the NACAT conference.
Primary eligibility (Mitchell 1 scholarship)
Applicants must:
- Be a current student majoring in automotive technology or auto shop repair coursework;
- Have a nomination from their NACAT instructor;
- Maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA;
- Be planning to attend, or already enrolled in, an accredited college or university; and
- Be a citizen of the United States or Canada.
Additional scholarship consideration via the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF)
When you submit a complete application it will automatically be reviewed by UAF and, if you meet their conditions, by several other participating organizations. Note the general UAF-style eligibility used by some programs:
- Full-time students at an accredited U.S. college/university or at an ASE/NATEF-certified post-secondary automotive, heavy-duty, or collision repair school;
- High school seniors who plan to enroll as full-time students at any of the above institutions;
- No GPA requirement for these UAF-centered awards (requirements vary by organization);
- Applicants must not complete their college program prior to the following December.
If you plan to attend a Canadian college, a separate application for Canadian students is available on the scholarship website.
How to apply
- Begin your U.S. application from the Apply Online button on the scholarship page.
- You do not have to finish the application in one sitting; you may log in later using the Update Your Application button to retrieve and modify your submission.
- You may continue updating your application up until March 31, 2026. Applications received after that date or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Required application materials
- A one-page essay describing your career goals (required).
- Optional: a short video hosted on YouTube; include the video link on your application if you choose to submit one.
- At least one letter of reference (some partner organizations may require a reference from an automotive instructor or a member of their organization).
- High school transcript, and if applicable, post-secondary transcript(s).
- Make sure your name appears clearly on every page of every document.
Submitting supporting documents
You may provide transcripts and references by any of the following methods:
- Attach them directly to your online application;
- Mail to: Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Committee, C/O MEMA, P.O. Box 13966, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3966;
- Email to: aftermarket@mema.org — include your name and “Automotive Scholarship Application Information” in the subject line and list any attached file descriptions in the message body.
Veterans
Scholarships awarded through this program are designed to supplement veteran education benefits and will not reduce GI Bill entitlements.
Deadlines and final notes
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026.
- Incomplete or late applications will be disqualified.
- Carefully review each participating organization’s page on the Scholarship site for specific eligibility details.
About Mitchell 1
Based in San Diego, California, Mitchell 1 has provided repair information solutions to the motor vehicle industry for over a century. The company supplies integrated repair shop software and services to help automotive and commercial truck professionals increase productivity and profitability. Key products and services include:
- ProDemand optimized with SureTrack — a comprehensive source of OEM and real-world repair information and diagnostics;
- Manager SE — the industry standard for mechanical estimating and shop management;
- SocialCRM — an automated marketing and customer engagement service for shops;
- TruckSeries — repair, diagnostic, and labor estimating information for Class 4–8 commercial trucks.
Mitchell 1 has earned the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence and was honored with Frost & Sullivan’s 2018 North American Customer Value Leadership Award. More information is available at mitchell1.com. Follow Mitchell 1 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ready to apply?
If you’re pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket, this scholarship can help advance your goals. Begin your application now on the scholarship website.