BENTONVILLE, AR, Jan. 3, 2007 – For many graduating high school seniors, getting accepted to college is a major accomplishment. But figuring out how to pay for it can be an even greater challenge. Thanks to more than $7 million available in scholarship money from the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club Foundation, college hopefuls might find that task a little easier.
Now in its 26th year, the Sam M. Walton Community Scholarship program provides a one-time award of $1,000 to eligible students to help pay for college expenses. Last year, Wal-Mart provided nearly $5.7 million to the more than 5,700 students who received this scholarship.
In order to qualify for the Sam M. Walton Community recognition, a student must be a graduating high school senior, a permanent legal resident of the U.S. and have a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
Recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges from Scholarship Program Administrators on the basis of financial need, academic record, and school and community involvement. Wal-Mart associates and their dependents are not eligible for this scholarship program.
The deadline to submit an application is Friday, Jan. 12. More information is available at www.walmartfoundation.org.
Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporate supporters of education in the U.S., having provided more than $46 million in scholarship assistance, literacy programs, teacher recognition awards and general community educational programs last year.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $245 million to local United States communities. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmart.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.