Toyota Financial Services Expands Student Scholarship Program to $1 Million

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Financial Services (TFS) recognized today 100 high school students who overcame considerable hardships on their paths to college, presenting them with $1 million in scholarships. This is the first year in which TFS has expanded its Making Life Easier scholarship program to $1 million. The program provides scholarships to underserved students through Boys & Girls Clubs of America, as well as other TFS nonprofit partners.

To celebrate their achievements, volunteer work and future success, more than 30 students and their families joined TFS associates at a Community Day event today in Torrance, Calif., featuring retired NBA player and philanthropist AC Green. Green is a Boys & Girls Clubs alumnus, and he spoke to the youth about his experiences, the importance of mentors and moral character. Among those in attendance was Helen Yuan, a past scholarship recipient and now TFS intern.

"My journey with Toyota Financial Services has definitely helped shape the person I am today," Yuan said. "TFS provided me the financial stability to make my college life easier, and now they are helping me establish the foundation for my career."

As one piece of TFS' national giving efforts, the Making Life Easier scholarships program allows economically disadvantaged youth to attend higher education by providing up to $20,000 for university, college, trade or vocational school tuition and fees.

Since 2007, TFS has provided $2.4 million in Making Life Easier scholarships to more than 500 deserving students. The scholarship program originated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles and expanded to include Chandler Education Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year awardees, Boys & Girls Clubs participating in the TFS-sponsored college readiness initiative Diplomas to Degrees (d2D), and select nonprofit partners across the nation.

"Toyota Financial Services is committed to reaching more communities and more promising students through our national philanthropic efforts and partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said George Borst, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services. "This year's program expansion will allow these students to further their education and build on their individual experiences, providing them with better opportunities and a brighter future."

"All of us at Boys & Girls Clubs of America appreciate Toyota's efforts to help prepare students for higher education and fill the financial gaps they face for tuition," said John Miller, national vice president of organizational and executive development for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "These young people overcome immense challenges in pursuit of their education, and programs like Diplomas to Degrees and Making Life Easier give a needed boost for greater accomplishments and stronger communities."

For more information on any of Toyota Financial Services' student programs, please visit www.toyotafinancial.com

About Toyota Financial Services
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota and Lexus in the U.S., offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust and extended service contracts and other payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). TFS employs 3,300 associates nationwide, and has managed assets totaling more than $95 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at bgca.org/facebook and bgca.org/twitter.

Media Contact: Justin Leach 310-468-5332
Micholl Azenon 213-438-8794

SOURCE Toyota Financial Services