NACS Foundation Future Fund Scholarship

The NACS Foundation Future Fund Scholarship provides financial assistance to employees of member firms of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) who are interested in attending college to prepare for a career in retailing. The program has run for more than 30 years and honors industry icons Jim Yates (founder of E-Z Mart Stores, former NACS Chairman of the Board) and David Erickson (former CEO of Erickson Oil Products, honored through Altria Distribution Group's 1999 donation). Each year, 10-15 selected applicants are awarded $3,000 each toward the cost of tuition at undergraduate or community college education. Scholarship recipients also receive a stipend to attend the NACS Show, where they are recognized during a special evening ceremony. Scholarship funds are paid in two installments of $1,500 each (August and December) and made payable only to the recipient's college or university. Eligibility (2026-2027 academic year): Current employees at any level or position of a NACS retail member company and children/legal dependents of employees are eligible to apply. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited university, trade school, or certificate program for the 2026/2027 academic year. The employee (either the applicant or the parent/guardian, if the applicant is a dependent) must remain actively employed by a NACS retail member company during the entire scholarship period. Application requirements: An official NACS Foundation Future Fund scholarship application consisting of three parts — (1) Applicant Data and Questionnaire, (2) Applicant Essay (two pages maximum), and (3) Nomination Form completed by a supervisory employee or senior official within the convenience store company. The application packet may be mailed to the NACS Foundation office in Alexandria, VA, or emailed. Timeline: The 2026-2027 scholarship period opened in March 2026 and closed May 15, 2026. Scholarship recipients are announced in July 2026. Scholarships are one-year awards; recipients may re-apply each year for up to four years if eligibility requirements continue to be met. The 2026-2027 scholarship application is closed. Scholarships are awarded by the NACS Foundation, a 501(c)(3), and will be applied to tuition expenses at any accredited college or university in the United States.