AUSTIN, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 08/12/10 -- Drury University Senior Cordelia Stewart's last year in College became a little easier winning the rent to own industry's highest scholarship for 2010. Stewart had high expectations in her high school years. But a pregnancy left her dreams and high school diploma in the dumps. Years later with determination and little sleep, Stewart went from a single mother, high school dropout to one year away from a degree in Criminology and Psychology.

Stewart, the assistant manager of National TV and Sales Mountain Grove, MO rent to own store, applied for one of the industry's annual scholarships. From tens of thousands of employees, Stewart won the top $3000 scholarship award. National TV and Sales has 17 rent to own stores throughout southwest Missouri headquartered in Lebanon, MO.

Stewart is one of the millions of Americans who return to education to make their lives better and repair earlier mistakes. APRO's scholarship helps her and her family achieve her goal to a better future for her family.

"I hope by going to college, I'm not just building my education but my kids' education," proclaims Stewart.

There were three other APRO Educational Scholarships awarded to rent to own employees or their children. Kylie Pelow, the daughter of Aaron's General Manager Chris Pelow, received a $2000 scholarship to Ohio University. Rent-A-Center Manager Mike Kessler received a $1500 scholarship attending Kent State University and Evan Carter Howell, the son of Rent-A-Center employee Patricia Enriquez, received a $1500 scholarship attending Faulkner State College.

The rent to own industry is one of the many industries helping to address the educational funding crises through scholarships. APRO awards educational scholarships to deserving students who are rent to own employees or their children.

"The rent to own industry's commitment to education and scholarship fund is a testament to rent to own as a vital industry and contributor to our communities," states APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek from Columbia, Missouri.

The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) has spent more 30 years helping improve the rent to own industry to become one of the most vibrant consumer industries in America. For more information on the rent to own option, visit www.rtohq.org.

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine