PricewaterhouseCoopers Impact Program Class of 2010 Receives More Than $18 Million in Scholarship Offers

NEW YORK, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) today announced that its 2010 class of Impact Program scholars has collectively been offered more than $18 million in scholarships by colleges and universities nationwide.  Impact provides academically talented African American/Black high school students with tools and strategies for navigating the college planning and financial aid process.  The scholarships, extended to the 87 students who recently completed the full-year program, highlight Impact's success in supporting the education and development of diverse future leaders.  As further proof of Impact's effectiveness, each of this year's scholars was accepted into an average of five colleges and universities.

PricewaterhouseCoopers launched Impact in 2008 in the New York City and Washington, D.C., metro areas as part of the firm's early diversity talent development initiatives and corporate responsibility commitment to youth leadership.  Since then, Impact has grown five-fold.  The program added students from Philadelphia and Boston last year and, despite the economic downturn, expanded into Atlanta and Charlotte in January.  To date, Impact has assisted nearly 300 African American/Black students in six U.S. cities.

"Impact has inspired me to seek greater opportunities and taught me to believe that anything is possible when you set your mind to it," said Montel Yancy, an Impact scholar and first generation college student from Washington, D.C., who will attend Tufts University in the fall on a scholarship.  "The program not only broadened my awareness of academic and financial aid options, but it also helped me learn more about myself and challenged me to aim higher."

Success in securing financial aid awards was an important achievement for this year's class of students.  With the average cost of college continuing to rise and the economy squeezing family budgets, financial aid remains a major factor in college decisions -- and it was a topic covered extensively in the Impact curriculum.  

"This year's class of Impact Scholars went through the program during one of the most challenging periods we've ever faced. Yet their spirit, commitment and determination were unwavering," said Niloufar Molavi, partner and chief diversity officer, PricewaterhouseCoopers.  "The financial aid packages that these scholars have secured for themselves and their families demonstrate what can be accomplished when talented students are given the right tools and encouragement."

Impact scholars are selected through a competitive application process on the basis of academic backgrounds, strong standardized test scores, demonstrated leadership skills, extracurricular activities, essay responses and in-person interviews.  For more information about the Impact program, visit www.pwc.com/impact.

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