ROSEMONT, Ill. — The deadline is approaching for the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program available through The Roofing Alliance for the 2019-20 academic year.

The Roofing Alliance is the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

Scholarship program applications are due Jan. 31, 2019.

Since 1986, The Roofing Alliance (formerly The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress) has invested time and funding not only to educate the roofing industry but also the industry's youth through the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program.

Named for Melvin Kruger, a former NRCA president, a former Roofing Alliance president and CEO of L.E. Schwartz & Son Inc., Macon, Ga., the program is available to NRCA contractor and supplier members, their families and their employees who plan to pursue careers in the roofing or construction industries.

Scholarship recipients are awarded $5,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record; potential to succeed; leadership and participation in school and community activities; honors; work experience; a statement of career goals and aspirations; and an outside appraisal.

“To date, 125 students have received $790,000 in scholarship awards,” said Rodney Petrick, owner of Ridgeworth Roofing, Frankfort, Ill. and current president of The Roofing Alliance.  “The Roofing Alliance is focused on giving back while also working hard to share the professionalism and opportunities within the roofing trade.  By supporting students who are interested in construction and specifically roofing, we are spreading the word about the potential that is available in our industry.”

“We also encourage the industry to support the scholarship fund,” continued Petrick. “Gifts to the scholarship program are tax-deductible. Any donation amount is welcome, but if you make a commitment of $50,000, you can choose to name the scholarship and participate in the recipient selection process.”

Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or students who are already enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study directly related to a career in the roofing industry or building construction at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. Awards are renewable for up to three years of undergraduate study or until a bachelor's degree is earned provided recipients renew annually and maintain a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.  Applications must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2019.

To learn more about the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program or download the application, visit www.roofingindustryalliance.net or contact Bennett Judson, the Roofing Alliance’s executive director, at bjudson@nrca.net.