MassMutual Scholars Program Offers $150,000 in Scholarships to Multicultural College Students Across the Country

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) is pleased to announce that its MassMutual Scholars program is now a national scholarship program for high achieving African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic students interested in careers in the insurance and financial services industry. This year, the program, which was previously only available in nine metropolitan areas in the United States, will offer thirty $5,000 college scholarships to high-achieving students across the country.

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"Education is key to developing a successful career path," said Nick Fyntrilakis, Assistant Vice President, of Community Responsibility at MassMutual. "By taking our MassMutual Scholars program to a national level, we are able to reach more students of diverse backgrounds and provide them with the financial support they need to achieve their dreams."

Now in its fourth year, the MassMutual Scholars program began as a pilot program in four metropolitan areas across the country and later expanded to nine. This year the scholarship is open to students of all majors, who are of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic descent and attending college in the United States. However, applicants must meet certain academic criteria, such as maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA, express an interest in careers in the insurance and financial services industry, and demonstrate financial need.

"MassMutual is making great headway in making our company and agencies more representative of the communities we work in," said Chris Mendoza, Assistant Vice President of Multicultural Market Development for MassMutual. "As a national program, these scholarships will not only help college students obtain their degrees, but also help MassMutual continue to build a strong network of potential financial professionals and clients from diverse backgrounds, while reinforcing our commitment to serving diverse communities."

The application deadline is May 4, 2012, and winners will be notified in late summer.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic descent;
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551 (not expired);
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of  3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
• Have plans to attend full-time a degree-seeking program at a U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam during the 2012-2013 academic year;
• Be entering sophomore, junior, senior or fifth-year-senior at a four-year university or be a community college student;
• Demonstrate leadership and extra-curricular activities; and
• Apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Students of all majors will be considered. 
• Preference will be given to students whose essays demonstrate their interest in pursuing a career in the insurance and financial services industry.

For more information on how to apply or to obtain an application, visit www.act.org/massmutual.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or "Like" MassMutual on Facebook.

CONTACT:
Laura DeMars
413-744-7181
[email protected]

SOURCE MassMutual