With costs on the rise everywhere, GradGuard highlights simple steps students and families can take to promote financial wellness and to safeguard their college investment.

PHOENIX (August 6, 2025): As nearly 20 million students prepare to head back to campus this fall, GradGuard, the authority in helping schools reduce financial losses while protecting students from the risks of college life, is reminding families to protect the significant investment in higher education. With the cost of college higher than ever, protecting your investment in higher education has never been more important.

“Families invest thousands of dollars each year in tuition, housing, and related expenses, yet many don’t realize how vulnerable that investment can be,” said John Fees, co-founder and CEO of GradGuard. “Unexpected events like illness, injury, or theft can disrupt a student’s academic journey and put family finances at risk. This back-to-school season is the perfect time to prepare and protect that investment.”

The College Board reports the average published price for the 2024-2025 school year at a public four-year in-state school was $11,610 and $30,780 for a public four-year out-of-state institution. A private four-year school was $43,350.

Beyond offering relevant student protection, GradGuard champions financial literacy and preparedness as key components of student success. Understanding and mitigating financial risks allows students to focus on their academics and overall well-being. Plus, given that nearly 1 in 3 currently enrolled students have considered stopping out of their degree program (Gallup/Lumina Foundation, 2025), families are smart to consider protecting their investment.

“Our mission is rooted in student success and college completion,” added Fees. “By helping students and families overcome preventable financial losses, we empower them to complete their degrees without added financial stress. Taking a few moments before the semester begins to evaluate these risks and secure appropriate protection can make all the difference.”

GradGuard encourages all college students and families to:

• Consider tuition insurance: Protect your investment in tuition, fees, and housing from unforeseen covered medical withdrawals or other covered reasons.
• Review existing insurance policies: Many homeowners insurance policies have limitations for students living away from home. Consider purchasing renters insurance to safeguard personal belongings like laptops, bikes, clothing, electronics, and more from theft or damage, whether on or off campus.
• Discuss financial wellness as a family: Openly communicate about budgeting, managing expenses, and the importance of financial preparedness for unexpected situations.

For more information and to find a tuition or renters insurance plan that is right for your family, visit www.gradguard.com.

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About GradGuard:
GradGuard is the authority on helping schools educate and protect students from the risks of college life. As the #1 source of college tuition and renters insurance, GradGuard’s pioneering protections have served more than 1.8 million students at more than 1,900 unique institutions.

To learn more, visit www.gradguard.com.

Contact:
Natalie Hubertus
Sr. Director, Corporate Communications
602-341-5947
nhubertus@gradguard.com

Stock up on health essentials, school supplies, and more – without leaving the couch

DEERFIELD, Ill., (August 6, 2025) — Move-in season is here, and Walgreens is making it more affordable for college students to hit the ground running. From August 10–23, students can save 20% off all regular-priced items* in the entire store and online. Just show a valid student ID or use code STUDENT20 at checkout online. Whether you’re picking up school supplies, last-minute toiletries, managing prescriptions, or loading up on snacks, Walgreens has everything you need, when you need it.

With hundreds of locations on or near college campuses, Walgreens is the convenient, go-to spot for students settling into campus life. And with 1-hour Delivery or 30-minute Pickup, stocking up on essentials is as easy as ordering from your dorm or apartment.**

“Starting a new school year can be overwhelming with a very long to do list,” said Bala Visalatha, SVP, Chief Experience & Growth Officer at Walgreens. “We’re here to support and take a few things off students’ lists with fast delivery, in store pick up, savings on everyday essentials and healthier alternatives.”

From cold meds and energy boosters to notebooks, stress-relief supplements, personal care, snacks, and more, Walgreens is stocked with the supplies students need to stay healthy, focused, and on top of it all. Prescriptions? No problem with Same-Day Rx delivery***, seamless transfers, and access to in-store and virtual pharmacy support. We make staying healthy easier than ever.

Join the Walgreens Rewards program to unlock exclusive savings, personalized offers, and so much more!

For more information on Walgreens back-to-campus savings and services, visit https://www.walgreens.com/ or find your local Walgreens via the store locator: https://www.walgreens.com/storelocator/find.jsp

About Walgreens

Founded in 1901, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) has a storied heritage of caring for communities for generations, and proudly serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day across its approximately 8,500 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and leading omni-channel platforms. Walgreens has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to being the first choice for retail pharmacy and health services, building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.

Walgreens is the flagship U.S. brand of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader. Its retail locations are a critical point of access and convenience in thousands of communities, with Walgreens pharmacists playing a greater role as part of the healthcare system and patients’ care teams than ever before. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy provides critical care and pharmacy services to millions of patients with rare disease states and complex, chronic conditions.

Media Contact 

Kamara Turner
media@walgreens.com

*Offer available only on Walgreens.com from Aug 10-23. Exclusions apply. Code STUDENT20 is valid up to 1 use per order, 3 uses per account on select regular priced items. Visit walgreens.com/offerdetails.
**Exclusions apply. Visit walgreens.com/samedaydelivery for more information.
***Exclusions apply. Visit Walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy.jsp for more information.