Former Marine named MSA's Second Scholarship Recipient

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Marine Corps veteran Johnny Fajardo is the second recipient of the Michael H. Seid & Associates Veterans Scholarship Award. The Michael H. Seid & Associates Veterans Scholarship Award was established in 2004 by Michael H. Seid & Associates and is administered by the International Franchise Association Education Foundation. The Michael H. Seid & Associates Veterans Scholarship is awarded annually to U.S. military veterans enrolled in an entrepreneurial course of study at an accredited college or university.

Fajardo served in Iraq as a Communications Specialist. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to his family of four in Tucson, AZ, to a full-time job as a cable technician during the day, and to part-time studies at the Pima Community College. This spring Fajardo will continue his studies at the University of Phoenix, working toward completion of a bachelor's degree in business.

Applicants for the Michael H. Seid Veterans Scholarship must submit an application form, letters of reference, and a paper describing their career goals and financial needs. The 2004 recipient was Marine Corps Captain Nathaniel Fick, who is currently enrolled in a joint MBA program at Harvard University.

"The men and women of our military are more than heroes. Day in and day out they are our ambassadors of freedom. The franchisor members of the International Franchise Association led the way in saying thank you by establishing the Vet Fran program. As a supplier to franchising we also wanted to lend our support. With all that our armed forces personnel do for each of us, providing our support in their transition to civilian life is the least we can do," said Michael Seid, Managing Director of Michael H. Seid & Associates.

Fajardo plans to become an entrepreneur, to start his own business, and he says that he "is exploring all options, including franchising". Fajardo's parents both dropped out of school to come to the U.S. in search of a better life. Fajardo says, "I realize that if my parents had had a formal education they would have been very successful in their endeavors. I want to complete my education and build a better legacy for my children."

Vet Fran, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, offers incentives to former military personnel to help them shift from military to self-employment. Nearly 160 IFA member companies participate in the effort to provide career and business ownership opportunities to former service personnel. For more information about the Michael H. Seid & Associates Veterans Scholarship Program and Vet Fran, visit the IFA website at - http://www.franchise.org/content.asp?contentid=531.