Foresters awards 250 Academic Scholarships to Students across North America

More than $30 million awarded internationally to help scholars plan for their futures, improve communities

TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Investing in a post-secondary education just got easier for 250 dedicated students across North America thanks to Foresters™, an international financial services provider, which rewarded their academic excellence and commitment to volunteerism with a renewable scholarship worth up to $8,000 each.

"Foresters is proud to present academic scholarships to 250 inspiring students across North America and contribute to their future successes," said Tony Garcia, president and CEO, Foresters. "Foresters purpose is to enhance family well-being and we hope that, by helping these students focus on their future, they can continue to make positive contributions to their families and communities."

For over 30 years, Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program has awarded more than 7,500 academic scholarships to students who share Foresters commitment to community service and have demonstrated solid academic performance. In total, Foresters has awarded more than

$30 million (CDN) in financial support of the Competitive Scholarship Program in Canada, the US and the UK.

Brooklyn Schwiesow, one of this year's scholarship recipients, will begin her 4-year program at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, in the fall. As an active volunteer for many years, Brooklyn dedicated her efforts to charitable activities centered on feeding the hungry in her own and surrounding communities through MN Harmony Lights, a local fundraiser she co-founded. Her leadership efforts in a volunteer activity are well-rounded and extend into her academic life, from her role as senior officer in her student council to earning Varsity Letters, signifying excellence in school activities, for her positions on the school's basketball and Ultimate Frisbee teams.

Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. and is open to eligible members, their spouses and dependent children, including grandchildren who will be continuing their postsecondary education. Eligible students of any age with a minimum GPA of 2.8 or 70% may apply. Members interested in applying for a scholarship for the 2015-2016 academic year can do so from December 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015.

For more information on Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program, visit foresters.com.

About Foresters
For 140 years, Foresters™, an international financial services provider, has fulfilled its purpose to enhance family well-being for its members and the communities where they live.  A fraternal benefit society, Foresters offers quality life insurance and investment products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with more than one million members in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit foresters.com, facebook.com/foresters and techtimeout.com.

Foresters™ is the trade name and a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9; its subsidiaries are licensed to use this mark.

Note to Editors:
Click here for a complete list of 2014-2015 U.S. scholarship recipients.

SOURCE: Foresters

For media inquiries, please contact: Lori Abbott, Foresters, T 800 461 8431 x4763 Toll-free (NA), E [email protected], foresters.com