Autel has announced the five recipients of its 2026 Awarding Excellence Scholarships, providing a total of $25,000 to students pursuing careers in automotive repair and service. Each recipient received a $5,000 scholarship to assist with tuition, tools, books, supplies, and other educational expenses.
The scholars are:
- Shawn Clark from Deer Lodge, Montana – Aged 50, pursuing an AAS in automotive technology at Highlands College of Montana Tech.
- Jacob Heinrichs from Austin, Texas – Attending Universal Technical Institute with three years of experience as an automotive technician.
- Marisa Rueger from Harleysville, Pennsylvania – Studying collision repair at Automotive Training Center–Warminster, holding a 4.0 GPA.
- Logan Mercier from Claremont, California – Enrolled at Universal Technical Institute, focusing on advanced diagnostic skills and aiming to become a Master Technician.
- Kristof Adam from Stillwater, Minnesota – Attending Century College, pursuing a career in automotive cybersecurity.
The scholarship program, launched in 2025 under the Autel Cares initiative, has now provided a total of $50,000 to support students in automotive education. This year, eligibility was expanded to include recent high school graduates and adults transitioning to new careers. Applicants submitted essays or videos detailing their journeys and aspirations in the automotive field.
