Communications

External Affairs Division

Students Get Help Attending College Through SunTrust Scholars Program

Atlanta — July 18, 2012

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Students facing financial hurdles attending college will get a leg up with the announcement of additional funding by the SunTrust Foundation to a year-old scholarship program.

Foundation officials announced a second round of funding in the amount of $47,500 to the University System of Georgia Foundation to benefit the “SunTrust Scholars” program at 10 Metro Atlanta University System of Georgia (USG) institutions.

The funding will enable ten deserving students to attend one of the following University System of Georgia institutions in the Metro Atlanta area: Atlanta Metropolitan College, Clayton State University, Gainesville State College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Perimeter College, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Southern Polytechnic State University, University of West Georgia. The program will be managed by the University System of Georgia Foundation

“I am grateful to SunTrust for taking a leadership role by establishing and supporting the SunTrust Scholars program,” said Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “With corporate partners like SunTrust some excellent and deserving students will receive needed financial assistance to complete their college education.”

In 2004, the USG Foundation developed a strategic plan to provide support for the University System goals and mission, setting a high priority on securing funding for and providing scholarships to deserving students, based on merit and/or financial need. Since that time, more than $2 million has been awarded to students at all 35 colleges and universities in the University System.

In 2011, the SunTrust Scholars grant was the first awarded directly to the USG Foundation to provide scholarships for students attending multiple USG institutions. “The USG Foundation is truly grateful to the SunTrust Foundation for taking the lead in providing scholarships to multiple campuses,” said Chairman Ken Bernard, “We encourage other corporate funders to join the SunTrust Foundation in this significant endeavor.”

The SunTrust scholars are selected by the institution, with the scholarship funds available to begin in the Fall semester 2012. The selected students receive full tuition plus a stipend to cover a portion of additional expenses such as books and fees.

“The SunTrust Foundation is pleased to again provide this grant award to benefit Georgia’s students and the institutions they will be attending,” said E. Jenner Wood III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Banks Atlanta. “We know that public higher education is the cornerstone to creating an educated workforce and encourage other corporate foundations to join the SunTrust Foundation in supporting this important work.”

The USG Foundation supports the University System of Georgia’s efforts in providing all Georgians access to excellent academic opportunities.

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