Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper name 2026 scholarship recipients

Kicking off the school year, applications for the 2027 Scholarship Program will open on Sept. 16; here’s how to apply and also donate funds

San Antonio—Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper are have announced the recipients of their 2026 scholarship awards. This year, 26 students have been awarded scholarships to help further their academic pursuits.

Kicking off the school year, Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper have also announced that applications for the 2027 Scholarship Program will open on September 16, continuing their commitment to developing the next generation of automotive professionals.

“We are honored to recognize these outstanding students and support them as they continue their educational journeys,” said Kendall Lozano, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. “These scholarships reflect our commitment to developing future leaders, innovators, technicians, and professionals who will help shape the automotive aftermarket for years to come.”

Applicants were required to submit essays, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Eligibility was open to employees—and children of employees—of Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, and Confidence Plus Certified Service Centers, as well as affiliated parts stores and distribution centers throughout North America.

Recipients were selected based on merit through an independent review process administered by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

The partnership with the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) is especially meaningful in 2026, as UAF celebrates its 40th Ruby Anniversary. For four decades, UAF has helped strengthen the future of the automotive aftermarket by providing scholarships and educational opportunities to the next generation of industry professionals.

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance and its Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper members have proudly supported UAF and its mission to invest in the industry’s future. Through scholarships, educational programs, and continued industry support, UAF and its supporters are helping ensure that today’s students have opportunities to become tomorrow’s leaders and professionals.

Among this year’s recipients is Elijah Coffey of Kleyn Mobile Repair LLC, an Auto-Wares Certified Service Center, who was selected to receive the Pat Biermann Memorial Heavy Duty Scholarship. Established in 2025, the scholarship honors the legacy of Pat Biermann, a respected leader whose more than 40 years of service helped shape the heavy-duty aftermarket industry.

It supports students pursuing careers in diesel technology, commercial vehicle maintenance, fleet management, CDL training, and other heavy-duty fields.

Since its inception in 2001, the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Scholarship Program has awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships to students across North America. The program continues to support students pursuing careers in automotive service, engineering, business, technology, and many other fields, helping strengthen the industry’s future workforce.

“Education remains one of the most meaningful investments we can make,” Lozano added. “We are proud to support these talented students and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their communities, workplaces, and throughout our industry.”

As UAF celebrates 40 years of investing in the industry’s future, aftermarket professionals and supporters can help continue that legacy through the UAF Coffee Club. With a variety of monthly giving levels, the Coffee Club provides an easy way for supporters to make an ongoing contribution toward scholarships and educational opportunities for the next generation of industry professionals.

Join the UAF Coffee Club

Just choose a giving level and join the effort to help ensure a bright future for the aftermarket by providing scholarships and educational opportunities to the next generation of industry professionals. To learn more or become a Coffee Club member, visit uofa-foundation.org/coffeeclub.

Applications for the 2027 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Scholarship Program will be accepted from September 16, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Eligible students are encouraged to apply for scholarship support for the upcoming academic year. For more information or to submit an application, visit automotivescholarships.com.

The 2026 Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Scholarship Recipients include:

Juan Tovar | Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance

Isabelle Czech | Automotive Parts Headquarters

Aidan Barberg | Automotive Parts Headquarters

Casey Wimmer | Automotive Parts Headquarters

Eli Gilles | Automotive Parts Headquarters

Alexis Van Voorst | Arnold Motor Supply

Candance Thompson | Arnold Motor Supply

Caleb Kleyn | Auto Wares Group of Companies

Elijah Coffey | Auto Wares Group of Companies

Oscar Reyes | Auto Wares Group of Companies

Kegan Marion | Auto Wares Group of Companies