More than 80 scholarships awarded to Canadian students who "make a
difference"

Foresters scholarships support our next generation of community leaders and volunteers

TORONTO, June 15 /CNW/ - More than 80 Canadian students will receive financial relief thanks to Foresters(TM) annual Competitive Scholarship program.(1) As a life insurance provider committed to the well-being of families, Foresters awards scholarships to students with good grades who also demonstrate a commitment to making a difference in their community. Every year Foresters grants up to 350 renewable scholarships worth up to $8,000* each for post-secondary education.

Among these scholarship winners, five will receive Ken Peterson scholarships valued at $11,000. The award recognizes applicants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and extraordinary effort and ability to overcome adversity, serving as role models in their communities.

"For almost 30 years, Foresters Competitive Scholarship program has rewarded extraordinary students who have excelled in the classroom while striving to make a real difference in their communities," said Kasia Czarski, Chief Membership and Marketing Officer at Foresters. "Foresters takes great pride in investing in our members, their families and the communities where they live. As more and more sources of scholarship funding appear to be disappearing, Foresters is continuing its contributions to ensure students have access to a solid education, and a brighter future."

Foresters Competitive Scholarship program has awarded over 4,400 scholarships worth more than $25 million in the U.S. and Canada since its inception in 1982. This year alone, Foresters will invest over $3.2 million in students through this program.

"I'm so excited to receive a Foresters scholarship," said Shilpa Varghese, a recent scholarship recipient from Brampton, Ontario, attending the University of Guelph in September. "Thanks to this help, I'll be able to spend more time focusing on my studies to become a pharmacist while also continuing to volunteer in my community. Thank you Foresters for helping me get one step closer to achieving my career goals."

Every year, Foresters Competitive Scholarships are available to members, their spouses and dependent children who will be continuing their post-secondary education. Members interested in applying for a scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year can do so from December 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011.

To obtain for further details about the Foresters Competitive Scholarship program visit www.foresters.com/scholarships

About Foresters

Founded in 1874, Foresters(TM) helps individuals and families achieve financial security with its innovative portfolio of life insurance products and annuities. Foresters shares its financial strength with its members, who are customers, through complimentary life, health and education benefits that help its more than 735,000 eligible members and their families in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Foresters provides opportunities that inspire its members to make a difference in their communities. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com.

Foresters(TM) is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.

    
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    (1) Foresters Competitive Scholarship Program is a competition for
        scholarships, open to eligible applicants meeting the eligibility
        requirements. Scholarship recipients will be selected from completed
        applications submitted before the deadline. The program is
        administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of
        Canada.
    * This figure reflects the currency of the country where the student
        will be attending school.
    

Note to Editors: click here (http://www.foresters.com/newsroom/2010_CDN_Scholarships.pdf) for a complete list of 2010-2011 Canadian scholarship recipients by province and city.

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Nadia Fiore, Manager, Marketing Communications & PR, Foresters, 416 429 3000 X4763, 800 461 8431 X4763 Toll-free (NA), [email protected]