Cleveland Scholarship Programs Unveils New Name: College Now Greater Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cleveland Scholarship Programs today announced its new name--College Now Greater Cleveland--reinforcing its commitment to help students in Greater Cleveland prepare for, finance and graduate from college.

The new name emphasizes the critical need to create a college-going culture across the region, helping students reach their full potential through college education and increasing the economic vitality of Greater Cleveland. College Now assists over 20,000 students each year, through college access and success advising, financial aid counseling and scholarship services. As the area's future professionals, the impact to Greater Cleveland is significant. According to CEO's for Cities, increasing the college attainment rate in Northeast Ohio by 1% would boost the region's economy by $2.8 billion annually.

"A college education is the best predictor for personal success as well as community success," stated Lee Friedman, chief executive officer, College Now. "Our new name and brand reflect how important college attainment is to Greater Cleveland, and its impact in transforming individual lives and improving the economic vitality of our region. With extensive support from the community, College Now is pleased to lead the charge to make Greater Cleveland a better place to live and work by helping more and more students prepare for, finance and graduate from college each year."

To support College Now in creating opportunities for our region's students, PNC and the Cleveland Clinic will provide essential public-private support. The PNC Foundation has awarded a grant to College Now to support advising services. Further, PNC and the Cleveland Clinic will collaborate to support college attainment through College Now by enhancing their college advising services, including the addition of PNC financial education programming and Cleveland Clinic's college preparatory programs. These programs currently help underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students attend college and pursue careers in science, medicine and business.

"Increasing college attainment for area high school students is a key contributor to attracting and retaining talent in this region," stated Paul Clark, PNC regional president. "PNC is committed to helping foster a rich talent pool in Greater Cleveland, and we believe our support of College Now and Cleveland Clinic will do just that by assisting students with college education."

Cleveland Clinic Chief Community Relations and Diversity Officer Dr. Anthony Stallion added, "This collaboration will enhance the experience for the dozens of students who work alongside physicians, scientists and administrators at Cleveland Clinic in preparation for careers in science, medicine and health care. These programs provide unique experience that propels students into higher education, and we are pleased to be able to offer additional support to students as they navigate the admissions and financing process."

Additional civic, education, business and community leaders from across the region gathered at Cleveland State University to voice their commitment to college attainment. "No child should be denied the opportunity to go to college and every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. College Now is a program that provides young people with opportunities and can help them succeed in school and in life," said Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson.

"College Now is an important partner of the state in helping Greater Cleveland students prepare for college and raising the educational aspirations of all Ohioans," said Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut. "State-local collaboration is critical in driving Ohio's economic resurgence and creating the educated workforce that businesses demand."

"My administration is committed to working with all regional stakeholders to ensure that all of Northeast Ohio's children are ready for college, work, and life in the 21st century," said Cuyahoga County Executive Edward FitzGerald. "The work of College Now Greater Cleveland will be critical to ensuring that we make this goal a reality."

One of the most challenging issues in the college-going process is applying for and securing financial aid. College Now is committed to helping every student complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), a necessary first step in obtaining any type of financial aid. This year on college campuses across America, more than 10,000 students who received College Now services have benefitted from more than $150 million in financial aid. College Now advisors offer their assistance in nearly 80 schools in the area, in addition, there is a free walk-in service in the College Now Resource Center in downtown Cleveland.

On Sunday, February 13th, College Now will offer free financial aid assistance through College Goal Sunday, a national effort focused on FAFSA completion. See below information for various locations across the region.

Supporting Resources

Visit www.collegenowgc.org

Find College Now Greater Cleveland on Facebook

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture.  Through its signature cause, Grow Up Great, PNC has created a 10-year, $100 million initiative to enhance early childhood education and school readiness.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.

College Goal Sunday

College Goal Sunday is a national effort to assist students and parents with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The event is held on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 2 p.m., with various locations across the state of Ohio, including: Cuyahoga Community College/Parma, College Now at the  Fairview Park Library, John Carroll University - Dolan Science Center, Kent State University, The University of Akron. For a complete list of locations and for registration information, visit www.ohiocollegegoalsunday.org/.

About College Now Greater Cleveland, Inc.

College Now (formerly Cleveland Scholarship Programs) provides Greater Cleveland students with guidance and access to funds to prepare for and graduate from college. For more than 40 years, our goal has been to help students pursue educational opportunities that empower them to embark on rewarding careers and strengthen our community. College Now assists 20,000 students each year, delivering college access and success advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship services in schools, in the College Now Resource Center and through community-based programs. For more information, visit www.collegenowgc.org.

SOURCE College Now Greater Cleveland, Inc.