Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress

Administration and review
Scholarship America — the nation’s largest manager and designer of scholarship programs for businesses, foundations, associations, and individuals — administers the Melvin Kruger Scholarship Program. Sponsor(s) determine eligibility for each scholarship category at their sole discretion; Scholarship America’s evaluation team reviews all eligible applications.

A quick thank-you
Generous donations from individuals and organizations fund the Melvin Kruger Scholarship. We appreciate those contributions; they make these awards possible.

Program purpose (in plain terms)
For more than 25 years the Roofing Alliance has driven progress in the roofing industry: workforce development, education, research, and technology. The Melvin Kruger Scholarship Program is part of that effort. Its goal is to attract, develop, and support people who will build careers in roofing and related construction fields by providing educational and financial assistance.

Who this program is intended to help
The program is primarily intended for people connected to the roofing industry — for example: field workers, foremen, superintendents, operations managers, office and sales staff, warehouse workers, equipment operators, and drivers — as well as their spouses or dependent children. It also includes students pursuing degrees in construction management and students in CTE/vocational programs relevant to roofing.

General eligibility rules (what most applicants must meet)
- Applicants fall into several categories (member employees/spouses/dependents, construction management students, and CTE/vocational students). Specific categories listed below may have additional or different rules.
- If applying as an employee, spouse, or dependent of an NRCA or Roofing Alliance member: the employee must have at least one year of full-time or part-time employment with the roofing company as of the application deadline.
- Applicants must be high school seniors (planning to enroll) or graduates, or current students, enrolled full time in an undergraduate course of study appropriate to the scholarship category.

Scholarship categories — what they are and who they’re for

1) Accredited University Scholarship (for post‑secondary / four‑year or two‑year programs)
- Who it’s for: High school seniors, recent graduates, or current students pursuing a full‑time undergraduate program related to roofing or building construction at an accredited two‑ or four‑year college or university. Construction management students (regardless of industry affiliation) are eligible under this category.
- Award: $5,000 each; up to 12 awards.
- Enrollment requirement: Must be enrolled at an accredited college/university for the full academic year.
- Renewal: Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years (or until a bachelor’s degree is earned), provided the recipient:
- Maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) at the end of each school year,
- Keeps the same qualified major, and
- Continues to meet the program eligibility requirements.
- Note: Scholarships are not guaranteed if a recipient changes majors or otherwise becomes ineligible.

2) Accredited CTE (Career & Technical Education) Scholarship (for vocational/trade careers)
- Who it’s for: Students pursuing careers that do not require a four‑year degree, such as roof system and sheet metal installers/fabricators, crane and equipment operators, foremen and superintendents, warehouse/inventory specialists, and other roofing trades. Eligible applicants include high school seniors, recent graduates, or current students enrolled full‑time in a vocational or technical trade school program directly related to a roofing career.
- Award: $1,000 each; up to 5 awards.
- Enrollment requirement: Must be enrolled at an accredited vocational or technical trade school for the full academic year.
- Renewal: These awards are not renewable. Students may reapply in later years if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
- Note: This scholarship is intended for trade careers rather than careers that require a four‑year undergraduate degree.

3) Diversity Scholarship
- Who it’s for: Students from diverse backgrounds, including (but not limited to) African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American/Indigenous, Native Hawaiian, LGBTQ+, multi‑racial students, and students with disabilities. All female students are eligible regardless of race/ethnicity. The scholarship supports students pursuing construction science at an accredited post‑secondary institution or an accredited vocational/technical trade school.
- Awards: Up to two awards total:
- One post‑secondary award: $5,000 (renewable),
- One vocational/trade award: $1,000 (not renewable).
- Renewal (post‑secondary award): Renewable for up to three additional undergraduate years if the recipient:
- Maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) at the end of each school year,
- Maintains a qualified major, and
- Continues to meet program eligibility requirements.
- The vocational/trade award is not renewable; reapplication is permitted in subsequent years if eligible.

Special note about Construction Management and CTE applicants
- Construction Management students: Eligible at the undergraduate level regardless of industry affiliation. Programs should typically lead to a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and are often accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).
- CTE and vocational students: Eligible regardless of industry affiliation when enrolled in programs directly related to roofing careers.

Priority
Priority consideration will be given to applicants who are members of the Roofing Alliance or NRCA.

Closing reminder
Sponsors set final eligibility for each scholarship; Scholarship America’s evaluation team reviews applications and makes award recommendations. Applicants should read the specific category requirements carefully and confirm they meet enrollment, employment, and GPA conditions before applying.