To College-Bound Students (NAPSA)—Students and families undergoing the college search process have a place to turn to makethe process a bit easier. The Alliance for Affordable Services sponsors an annual scholarship program and produces a guide to help simplify the process of getting college-bound students admitted to college. In 2011, Alliance awarded $293,000 in scholarships to 198 college-bound students across the nation, including 95 new recipients. Open to eligible 16- to 28year-old dependents of Alliance members, the program presents $2,000 to first-time winners who are pursuing undergraduate degrees. Renewable scholarships of $1,000 per year are available for up to three consecutive years to previous recipients who maintain a 3.5 grade point average. To date, the program, which began in 1996, has awarded morethan $1.9 million to 1,200 students. “The Alliance for Affordable Services understands that the cost of college weighs heavily on hardworking Americans,” says Paul Pevsner, M.D., president of the association. “That’s why weoffer a scholarship to our members and provide a handbook that’s available to all college-bound students.” The College Preparation Handbook, available free to anyone at www.AffordableServices.org/college, shows students and their parents how to begin preparations during high school, select colleges that best suit their needs, and navigate the admissions process. It offers assistance for finding loans, grants and additional scholarships to help pay the ever-increasing costs of higher education. The handbook also provides links to websites, organizations and government agencies that offer more information and assistance. Alliance is a national organiza- tion dedicated to helping its members live better and save more. It leverages its strength in numbers to deliver valuable savings on a variety of business, lifestyle and health care benefits for 80,000 members. Benefit availability is dependent on membership level, package option and member’s state of residence, and may be subject to change. For more information, visit www.AffordableServices.org or call Alliance Member Services at (800) 733-2242. The annual scholarship application deadline is June 15.
