USA Funds Accepts Nominations for Annual Debt Management Excellence Awards

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- USA Funds®, a nonprofit organization that helps American families benefit from postsecondary education, is accepting nominations from colleges, universities and private career colleges for the 2012 USA Funds Excellence in Debt Management Awards. The annual awards highlight outstanding campus debt management and financial literacy programs that help college students minimize and manage their education debt, promote successful student loan repayment and reduce student loan default rates.

To be considered for the award, college officials must complete, by April 2, 2012, an online nomination form at www.usafunds.org/excellence.

The top three school programs will receive recognition and funding for scholarships for their students in the following amounts:

• First-place award: $15,000.
• Second-place award: $10,000.
• Third-place award: $5,000. 

A panel of judges, including USA Funds' staff and representatives of schools that received 2011 debt management excellence awards, will select the three debt management excellence award recipients based on the following weighted criteria:

• Measurable Results: 40 percent.
• Creativity: 30 percent.
• Scope: 10 percent.
• Staff/Faculty Involvement: 10 percent.
• Cost-Effectiveness: 10 percent.

"Managing student loan debt is a significant challenge for many college students and graduates," said Denise B. Feser, USA Funds senior vice president, School and Student Services. "These awards give well-deserved recognition to some of the many colleges and universities that invest in programs to assist their student loan borrowers. This award program also helps share best practices with other postsecondary institutions."

USA Funds has sponsored the awards since 2004. 

Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA Funds is a nonprofit corporation that works to enhance postsecondary education preparedness, access and success by providing and supporting financial and other valued services. For more information about USA Funds, visit www.usafunds.org.

SOURCE USA Funds