‘Majoring in Money: How American College Students Manage Their Finances’ Shows Students are Conscientious, Careful, and Determined to be Financially Aware Consumers

More Than Half of College Students Have a Credit Card; Nearly Two-Thirds Pay Full Balance Each Month

NEWARK, Del., March 17, 2016–Conventional wisdom says young people have a lot to learn when it comes to managing money, but the reality is most American college students are handling their finances carefully and conscientiously, according to “Majoring in Money: How American College Students Manage Their Finances,” a new national study from Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company, and Ipsos, an independent global market research company.

Taking the Right Steps
“Majoring in Money” compiled the results of online interviews of 800 college students between the ages of 18 and 24, and reveals students are taking the right steps when it comes to managing money. More than three fourths (77 percent) of college students pay bills on time; six in ten (60 percent) never spend more money than they have available. In addition, college students are putting money aside each month. More than half (55 percent) save at least some money every month, and 24 percent report having an emergency fund.

Responsibly Using Credit Cards
While most college students make purchases with debit cards (85 percent), cash (86 percent), and mobile payments (77 percent), more than half–56 percent–have at least one credit card. In fact, roughly six in 10 (59 percent) report their primary reason for getting a credit card was to build their credit history. “Majoring in Money” also finds that the majority of students with credit cards are using them responsibly and paying the bill themselves. Specifically, 63 percent pay the balance in full each month, and 73 percent pay the bill without assistance from a parent or other adult. Roughly seven in 10 (69 percent) report an average monthly balance of $500 or less.

“Having a credit card doesn’t necessarily mean students are overspending,” said Julia Clark, senior vice president, Ipsos Public Affairs. “The reality is they are demonstrating sound reasoning and thoughtful decision-making, and they are managing their payments effectively.”

Understanding Credit Benefits and Behaviors
“Majoring in Money” finds most college students understand the value of good credit, and the majority know how to get and maintain it. Nine in 10 college students (91 percent) know having a good credit record can help them qualify for different types of credit and improve their access to favorable interest rates. The majority know paying bills on time (93 percent) and keeping credit balances low (63 percent) are positive credit behaviors, and opening multiple credit accounts simultaneously (64 percent) and using as much credit as possible (61 percent) are negative credit behaviors.

“It’s clear that today’s college students are focused on effectively managing their finances,” said Raymond J. Quinlan, chairman and CEO, Sallie Mae. “Many of these young people grew up in the wake of a financial crisis and, in turn, have adopted behaviors that promote sound credit management. At the same time, they are eager to learn more to continue on the road to financial stability and success. With free tools and resources to help students better understand credit, and benefits such as free quarterly access to FICO scores, we have the opportunity to help them do just that.”

Looking to Learn More
While the majority of college students express confidence in their current money management skills, 83 percent would like to learn more, especially about saving and budgeting. “Majoring in Money” also reveals college students would benefit from additional education around specific credit topics, including how interest accumulates and how repayment behavior and credit terms affect the cost of credit over time. In fact, when asked to answer multiple choice questions on those topics, only 31 percent answered all three questions correctly.

For the complete report, infographic and video visit SallieMae.com/MajoringInMoney. Join the conversation using #MajoringInMoney.

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About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets, and is the world’s third largest survey-based market research company. Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research. Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,669.5 billion (2.218 billion USD) in 2014. Visit http://www.ipsos-na.com to l earn more.

About Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: SLM) is the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company. Whether college is a long way off or just around the corner, Sallie Mae offers products that promote responsible personal finance, including private education loans, Upromise rewards, scholarship search, college financial planning tools, and online retail banking. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

Contacts:
Rick Castellano (Sallie Mae)
302.451.2541
rick.castellano@salliemae.com

Julia Clark (Ipsos Public Affairs)
312.526.4919 (office)
202.560.2014 (mobile)
julia.clark@ipsos.com

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 17, 2016 – Today Course Hero, the leading educational technology platform for course-specific study resources and tutoring, unveiled its new Course Advice feature to make the platform an even more holistic learning community for students. This offering—in addition to the company’s study materials and 24/7 tutoring—further improves the community by sharing advice from students who have already “been there and studied that.”

Since soft launching the feature last fall, students from high schools and universities across the nation have shared more than 50,000 entires on how to succeed in specific classes.

“At Course Hero, we believe that a network of knowledge and experience propels everyone forward,” said Course Hero CEO and Co-founder Andrew Grauer. “Choosing the right classes, workload, and instructors whose teaching styles align with your learning style are critical to performing well, learning deeply, and staying on track to graduate. With the Course Advice feature, students can more accurately prepare for their semesters and get the most out of their education because we take a different approach – we focus on advice for how to excel in the course, not on the personality of the professor.”

The new Course Advice feature helps students master their classes by enabling them to share feedback on courses they’ve already taken and offer advice to help others study efficiently and learn deeply. In as little as 60 seconds, students answer a few questions about what they learned, how much time they spent studying, and what they did to succeed. With tags like “requires group work outside of class,” “go to office hours,” “participation counts,” and “great discussions,” students can plan more balanced semesters or get ahead of a tough workload even before their first day of class.

To see Course Hero’s advice feature in action, please visit the Course Advice page.

About Course Hero
Course Hero connects millions of students and educators to share their knowledge by asking and answering questions. Course Hero offers a suite of online educational resources, including crowdsourced study documents, expert tutors, customizable flashcards, and advice. For students exploring new subjects, mastering key concepts—and everything in between—Course Hero offers essential tools to help them achieve their goals and succeed in their courses. To learn more, please visit www.coursehero.com.

For more information, contact:
Grayling PR
(415) 593-1400
coursehero@grayling.com

Contest Offers Scholarships and Travel Prizes to Students who Want to #GoStudyAbroad

NEW YORK, NY, March 17, 2016 – Do you want to study abroad? Or did you just get back from studying abroad, and want to inspire other students to take part in this amazing experience?  The Institute of International Education (IIE), Go Overseas and other leading study abroad and travel organizations are offering scholarships for those who want to study abroad, and travel prizes for those who nominate them. Enter online at GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad.

Aside from being one of the most fun and exciting experiences you have in college, study abroad can also improve your career prospects. Studying abroad is one of the best ways you can acquire the international experience necessary to succeed in today’s global marketplace.

You can win a grand prize $10,000 scholarship to study anywhere in the world or one of three $5,000 study abroad scholarships when you sign up and enter to #GoStudyAbroad at GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad.

For a chance to win, all you have to do is enter your contact information and explain in 250 characters – that’s shorter than two tweets – why you’d like to study abroad and how it’ll match your goals. The contest link is GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad.

Study abroad takes planning, but it’s worth it. Less than 10% of U.S. students study abroad by the time they graduate from college. With 1 in 5 jobs linked to international trade and employers looking for global talent, more U.S. students must study abroad to broaden their perspectives, understand and tolerate different ways of life and succeed in today’s global workforce. College students who studied abroad are hired more quickly after graduation with higher starting salaries, more likely to land jobs in their fields, and less likely to be unemployed five years after graduation, according to several post-study abroad surveys and reports.

The contest is part of the nationwide #GoStudyAbroad campaign that IIE, Go Overseas and four leading study abroad and travel organizations launched today, which calls on alumni of study abroad programs to pay it forward by inspiring college students to consider and/ or commit to studying abroad by the time they graduate.

“I’m asking study abroad alumni to imagine how different their lives would be if they’d never studied abroad and then imagine the impact going abroad could have on a friend’s life if they convinced them to study overseas too,” said Dr. Allan E. Goodman, IIE’s President and CEO. “We need mentors, campus leaders, faculty and relatives, to inspire and motivate students to study abroad so that the next generation of Americans is prepared to thrive in our globalized world.”

In addition to inviting college students to enter the contest directly, IIE and campaign partners AIFS Study Abroad, CET Academic Programs, IFSA-Butler, and STA Travel are reaching out to their study abroad alumni networks to nominate students to #GoStudyAbroad. Alumni who nominate students to study abroad through GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad can win prizes as well, including a grand prize roundtrip international flight, sponsored by IFSA-Butler. The more students someone nominates, the better the chances to win. #GoStudyAbroad is part of IIE’s Generation Study Abroad, a five-year initiative to double the number of students who study abroad by the end of the decade.

“Our mission at Go Overseas is to inspire as many students as possible to engage in study abroad programs with meaningful cultural exchange. We passionately live and breathe this mission on a daily basis,” said Mitch Gordon, Go Overseas’ CEO and Co-Founder. “In partnership with IIE, our goal is to connect as many of our 30,000 daily and 900,000 monthly visitors as possible with study abroad programs that will change their lives, and the lives of those with whom they interact.”

The contest runs until March 31, 2016.

See the full terms and conditions at GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad for official rules.

About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,400 member institutions.

About Go Overseas
Go Overseas is the leading website for programs abroad. With over 30,000 daily and 900,000 monthly visitors, more people use Go Overseas to find life changing, meaningful travel programs than any other website in the world. Go Overseas incorporates reviews, interviews, articles and other community features to help people make informed and educated decisions when choosing travel programs. Most importantly, Go Overseas inspires people around the world to travel differently and to travel with a purpose.

#GoStudyAbroad Contest

How the #GoStudyAbroad Contest Works: 

1. The contest opens on February 16, 2016 and closes on March 31, 2016. Participants enter to win prizes at GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad.

2. College students may enter the contest directly, even without being nominated. To enter directly, enter to #GoStudyAbroad and answer in 250 characters why you want to study abroad and how it will complement your goals at GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad.

3. Anyone who wants to nominate a friend to study abroad can register at GoOverseas.com. They will be given a unique link to share that will track how many students they have inspired to #GoStudyAbroad. Share your link by tagging friends on social media and using the hashtag #GoStudyAbroad.

4. After you enter your nominations, the student(s) receive an email asking them to enter to #GoStudyAbroad online. Students who enter and answer in 250 characters why they want to study abroad and how it will complement their goals are automatically entered to win a grand prize $10,000 scholarship to study abroad anywhere in the world. Students are also automatically entered to win $5,000 study abroad scholarships. After the end of the contest period, IIE and Go Overseas will select the winners.

5. The top nominator will win a free roundtrip ticket back to country where s/he studied abroad. The more students you nominate to #GoStudyAbroad, the higher your chance of travel prizes. In order to participate in the chance to win, you must nominate individuals through GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad/Alumni.

6. Read the full terms and conditions at GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad for official rules.

How to Spread the Word!

Whether you are an alumnus, an organization or just a person who cares about international exchange – here are some ideas for ways to help spread the word about this opportunity on social media!

Want to win a scholarship so that you can #GoStudyAbroad? Enter to win a #GenerationStudyAbroad scholarship: GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad

Looking for funding to #GoStudyAbroad? This is your chance! Enter to win a #GenerationStudyAbroad scholarship today: GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad

Where would you #GoStudyAbroad if money wasn’t an obstacle? Enter now to win a $10K scholarship: GoOverseas.com/GenerationStudyAbroad

NONPROFIT ENTERS INTO PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER LOW COST 4G LTE MOBILE INTERNET SERVICE TO BENEFIT COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF NATIONWIDE

WILKES-BARRE, PA, March 16, 2016– The Susquehanna Mobile Cares Program, a PA-based not-for-profit technology initiative focused on serving the mobile broadband Internet and advanced technology learning needs of American families, K-12 schools, post-secondary schools, and non-profit organizations, has entered into a community and educational service partnership with Mobile Citizen LLC.

The program will use the Sprint 4G LTE network exclusively to offer very affordable mobile broadband Internet service nationwide to college and university students, faculty, and staff.

The program’s 30GB+ data-only service plans cost less than $16.00 per month. Program benefits also include no throttling or overage charges for the service plans. The equipment and service plans are available immediately for purchase through the organization’s website at www.susquehannamobile.org, or www.4GMobileCares.org. Interested parties should call 1-800-689-3431.

To launch the program, customers that sign up before May 31, 2016 can get twelve (12) continuous months of service, plus the new 4G LTE equipment, for just $250.00.

Beneficiaries of the initiative have the option to choose from annual, semi-annual, or quarterly service plan payment options. The 4G LTE equipment sold for this initiative, priced at $95.00, allows customers to connect multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously while in their home, dorm room, classroom, office, or on the go.

College and university students, faculty, and staff wishing to benefit from this community and educational service initiative can do so very easily. They simply must go to the www.susquehannamobile.org or www.4GMobileCares.org website. There they can purchase the 4G LTE equipment and service plans.

# # #

Media Contact:
Todd Snyder
Susquehanna Mobile
todd@susquehannamobile.org
(717) 991-7711

ScholarshipOwl allows college and graduate students to instantly establish their eligibility for hundreds of scholarships and submit a single application for multiple scholarships automatically through a simple online tool.

March 14, 2016 – ScholarshipOwl, an automated scholarship search and application service that matches students to hundreds of scholarships, offers an opportunity to currently enrolled college and grad school students to reduce the burden of student loans by sourcing and automatically submitting relevant scholarship applications.

Not just high school students, but enrolled college and grad school students are eligible to apply for many scholarships from brands and other organizations interested in investing in higher education. “However, the search process is complicated and too time-consuming for busy college students,” explains Ken Sandorffy, the Founder of ScholarshipOwl. “That’s why we built an engine that aggregates scholarships that are available at any given time and allows students to apply for them with a single application.”

ScholarshipOwl continuously scans the net for new scholarship offerings, adds them to their database and then lets eligible students apply for those scholarships using the information already on file, saving students time and effort. It also saves their answer responses and essays, which can be reused for subsequent applications.

ScholarshipOwl already has 100,000 users matching each to 85-100 scholarships on average. It was covered by Forbes, GigaOm, TNW and others.

For additional information about the scholarship please visit the ScholarshipOwl website, call (302) 266–2831 or email at contact@scholarshipowl.com. Follow ScholarshipOwl on Twitter @ScholarshipOwl.

About ScholarshipOwl
ScholarshipOwl helps US students reduce the financial burden of higher education by offering an automated scholarship search and application service. The platform uses each applicant’s birth date, gender, year of study, current or future major and other parameters to match the student with hundreds of available scholarships. ScholarshipOwl automates the process by allowing users to apply for hundreds of scholarships with a single application.

Media Contact
Ken Sandorffy
(919) 292-9292
ken@scholarshipowl.com

San Francisco, Calif. – March 8, 2016 – San Francisco-based SKOUT, the global app that helps you meet new people and expand your social circle, today announced that interested college students can now apply for the company’s unique Global Friendship Ambassador summer intern role. SKOUT is again offering this paid, eight week summer internship position within its marketing department.

“Our app is used by millions of people across 180 countries, and the opportunity to serve as a Global Friendship Ambassador offers an incredible experience to work closely on fun marketing projects that reach our huge user base,” said Jane Barrett, Head of Marketing at SKOUT.

“Interning as SKOUT’s Global Friendship Ambassador last summer was a dream come true for me,” said Corey Whitaker, a junior at Lynchburg College. “The culture is really cool, I learned a lot with the assignments I was given, and I felt like the SKOUT team truly wanted me to succeed.”

The Global Friendship Ambassador role is well-suited for a creative, outgoing student who enjoys using social media, meeting new people and is interested in gaining hands-on experience in marketing within a fast-moving startup environment. He or she will work closely with mentors on SKOUT’s global marketing team on activities like daily in-app chatting with Skouters around the world, developing concepts for community contests, partnerships and virtual gifts, and creating content for social media campaigns.

To be eligible for the internship, candidates must be at least 19 years of age, enrolled in a four-year degree program in the U.S., and eligible to work in the U.S. To apply, candidates are invited to create a SKOUT ID and complete an online application by April 11, 2016. Visit the SKOUT Careers page to learn more about the Global Friendship Ambassador internship and apply.

To download Skout for iOS, Android or Windows, or to sign up online, visit www.skout.com.

You can also follow Skout on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About SKOUT
SKOUT is the largest global platform for meeting new people and expanding your social circle. The SKOUT community spans more than 180 countries and is available in 16 languages. SKOUT is dedicated to providing a platform through which people can easily and safely connect. The Andreessen Horowitz backed company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco. Visit www.skout.com to learn more.

AUSTIN, Texas – SeniorAdvice.com based in Austin, TX, is a leading resource for housing solutions and advice for seniors. SeniorAdvice.com is offering two $1000 scholarships to students who will be enrolled in a college or university for the Fall of 2016 academic semester.

SeniorAdvice.com is offering scholarships because they believe in the value of advanced education for those who give back to the elderly community. Also, they understand that there is a lot to be learned from spending time and energy in the senior community. Memories, information and advice can be passed down from generation to generation and it’s important to capture and communicate these experiences. SeniorAdvice.com believes students should be honored for their devotion to elderly seniors.

SeniorAdvice.com Scholarship information is as follows:

SeniorAdvice Caregiver Scholarship - SeniorAdvice.com is offering a $1000 scholarship to an eligible student who has been a caregiver for an adult relative. One student, who will be attending college or university in the Fall of 2016, will receive a $1000 for tuition and/or books.

SeniorAdvice Volunteer Scholarship - SeniorAdvice.com is offering a $1000 scholarship to an eligible student who has served as a volunteer in a senior living community within the past year. One student, who will be attending college or university in the Fall of 2016, will receive a $1000 for tuition and/or books.

To apply for one or both scholarships, email the appropriate information, including your completed questions and 2 required attachments (copy of transcript and video file or essay) to scholarship@senioradvice.com.

For more information about the SeniorAdvice.com Scholarships, please visit https://www.senioradvice.com/scholarships.

ABOUT SeniorAdvice.com
Launched in 2016, SeniorAdvice.com is the first search engine to connect older people and their support systems directly to more than 50,000 housing options. The free senior living search engine contains comprehensive information on providers nationwide, including assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, home healthcare, independent living, adult day services, retirement homes, respite care, and hospice care. SeniorAdvice.com dedicates five percent of its profits to nonprofits serving the aging community. The company has established two scholarship programs, one for young people who volunteer with senior citizens and one to honor young people who help care for aging family members.

Media Contact
Lori Thomas
(512) 960-7526
scholarship@senioradvice.com

Honoring Video Production at Its Finest at SVG College Sports Summit, June 2 in Atlanta

NEW YORK – March 1, 2016 – The Sports Video Group (SVG) and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) have announced that entries are now being accepted for the 8th Annual SVG/NACDA College Sports Media Awards (CSMA).

The SVG/NACDA College Sports Media Awards recognize the best in college sports video production, celebrating those who have pushed the envelope and set a higher standard for the quality of live and pre-/post-produced college sports video content.

Winners and finalists will be honored during a ceremony on June 2 at the 2016 SVG College Sports Summit (June 1-3, Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Atlanta).

The SVG College Sports Summit is the leading, national conference for college sports video production, bringing together over 500 industry leaders from broadcast networks, athletic departments, broadcast schools, production companies, and more. To learn more, visit www.svgcollege.com.

This year’s awards will be given in four divisions across five categories:
Divisions
National Networks/Professional
Regional, Local, and Conference Digital Networks
Collegiate Athletics
Collegiate Student

Categories
Live Game Production
Special Feature
Program Series
Live Studio/Remote-Hosted Programming
Program Open, Tease, Promotional Video, PSA, and Campaigns

Deadline for submissions to the College Sports Media Awards is April 29, 2016. For complete rules and to enter your production, visit http://www.svgcollege.com/college-sports-media-awards/2016-rules. Any questions regarding submissions please contact Andrew Lippe at andrew@sportsvideo.org

About Sports Video Group
The Sports Video Group was formed in 2006 to support the professional community that relies on video, audio, and broadband technologies to produce and distribute sports content. Leagues, owners, teams, players, broadcasters, webcasters, and consumer technology providers have joined the SVG to learn from each other, turn vision into reality, implement new innovations, while sharing experiences that will lead to advancements in the sports production/distribution process and the overall consumer sports experience. For more information, visit www.sportsvideo.org.

About National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
NACDA, now in its 50th year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 11,000 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 4,000 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 15 professional associations and three foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 18, 2016 – Washington state once again makes a strong showing on the Peace Corps’ list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities with three Evergreen State schools holding the top spot in their enrollment category. The University of Washington ranks No. 1 among large volunteer-producing colleges and universities and also appears on the agency’s list of top volunteer-producing graduate schools. Gonzaga University and the University of Puget Sound share the title of No. 1 among small schools, rounding out three of the seven total Washington state schools on the 2016 list.

The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., claims the top spot among medium-sized colleges and universities, followed closely by local rival American University. Georgetown University and Howard University—which remains the first and only historically black university to appear on the list—join George Washington and American as D.C.-based schools to rank in the medium-sized enrollment category, taking the No. 7 and No. 14 spots, respectively.

Among graduate schools, Tulane University holds the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive year. The University of California, Berkeley remains the all-time highest producer of Peace Corps volunteers in the country, with more than 3,600 alumni to have served since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961.

“The Peace Corps is a unique opportunity for college graduates to put their education into practice and become agents of change in communities around the world,” Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “Today’s graduates understand the importance of intercultural understanding and are raising their hands in record numbers to take on the challenge of international service.”

Simmons College—one of the few women’s colleges on the list—made the largest leap in rank this year, moving from unranked to No. 8 among small colleges and universities. Emory University moved from No. 24 to No. 8 on the list of medium-sized schools and Indiana University Bloomington jumped to No. 7 from No. 20 in the large enrollment category.

Below are the top five colleges and universities in each category and the number of alumni who are currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers.

Large Colleges & Universities – Total Volunteers:
More than 15,000 undergraduates
1. University of Washington (72)
2. University of Wisconsin–Madison (68)
3. University of Florida (59)
3. University of Minnesota (59)
5. University of Colorado Boulder (53)

Medium Colleges & Universities – Total Volunteers:
Between 5,000 and 15,000 undergraduates
1. The George Washington University (43)
2. American University (42)
3. Western Washington University (41)
4. Cornell University (38)
5. University of Virginia (36)

Small Colleges & Universities – Total Volunteers:
Less than 5,000 undergraduates
1. Gonzaga University (18)
1. University of Puget Sound (18)
3. Macalester College (17)
4. The Evergreen State College (13)
4. Carleton College (13)

Graduate Schools – Total Volunteers:
1. Tulane University (18)
2. University of Denver (17)
2. University of Michigan (17)
4. University of Washington (16)
5. American University (15)

Historical, Since 1961 – Total Volunteers:
1. University of California, Berkeley (3,615)
2. University of Wisconsin–Madison (3,184)
3. University of Washington (2,937)
4. University of Michigan (2,640)
5. University of Colorado Boulder (2,435)

* Rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2015 data as of September 30, 2015, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.

In advance of the top schools announcement, the Peace Corps gave an exclusive preview of the top-ranked schools on the agency’s new Snapchat account and premiered an interactive map that enables users to see where alumni from a given university are serving. In 2015, the agency saw a 40-year high in application numbers, reinforcing the Peace Corps’ role as a dynamic, forward-leaning champion for international service more than half a century after its creation.

About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends the best and brightest Americans abroad on behalf of the United States to address the most pressing needs of people around the world. Volunteers work with their community members at the grassroots level to develop sustainable solutions to challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their service, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today’s global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 220,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Riverwoods, IL, Feb. 18, 2016 – The beaches in Florida are warming up, and that can only mean one thing: spring break.  You may think hitting the road with friends or jetting off with your family will drain your bank account, but it doesn’t have to. Here are five tips to help you return from your trip with some cash in your pocket:

1. Hit the road
Depending on your destination, it may be cheaper to drive than fly. To break up the monotony of a long drive, do some research before you get behind the wheel and plan to stop at designated landmarks or local restaurants along the way. Not only will these stops give you opportunities to stretch your legs, but they also allow you to see, or eat at, some places that you would normally miss if you flew.

2. Don’t Pay Too Much for Your Activities
Take some time before your vacation to plan out what you will do when you are there. This can help eliminate some spur of the moment costs. Organize a self-guided tour based off recommendations and reviews from various on-line city guides, or if you are staying at a hotel, make sure to ask the front desk. Getting local feedback and direction on ‘do’s and don’ts’ in the area can help you avoid tourist traps and wasting funds. Also, remember that a lot of attractions have student discounts, so don’t forget your school ID.

3. Give back on break
Want to support people in need this year on your spring break? Try volunteering with a group to build a house or through a school sponsored trip that is affiliated with a campus organization. These trips often include transportation, lodging and depending on the package, some meals may be covered. These are great ways to meet new people, create lasting memories with friends and serve your community, without spending too much money.

4. Travel off the beaten path
If you’re traveling with a large group, look into rental swaps or lodging a little further away from the action to reduce costs. Even if you’re traveling to a spring break hot spot, staying 15 to 20 minutes outside of the downtown area will likely mean reduced costs for lodging and food. If you are able to find a place that has a kitchen, all the better! Make sure you stop at a grocery store and stock up on essentials. You can take turns cooking dinner with each person making their favorite meal.

5. Earn cash as you spend
Get a rewards credit card that gives you cash back to put toward future purchases. With the Discover it® chrome for Students credit card, you can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 of purchases each quarter. Also, as a new cardmember, all cash back earned during your first year will be doubled¹. As you’re headed out on your trip, stopping at restaurants and filling up your tank, you can start thinking about how you can use the cash back you’ll earn!

Now that you have the tools to budget for spring break, go enjoy your week off with friends and family.

Brought to You by Discover

Discover Student Credit Cards
The Discover it® chrome for Students and Discover it® for Students credit cards offer students a great way to build credit early in their lives. These student cards come with many benefits including rewards on popular student categories, options for support if they miss a payment and resources to help students understand their credit information and manage their finances. For more information, visit www.discover.com/student.

About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America’s cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

Media Contact:
Sarah Grage Silberman
224-405-6029
sarahgragesilberman@discover.com

1. Double First Year Cash Back: After 12 consecutive billing periods that your new account is open, we will double all of the cash back rewards you’ve earned and apply them to your account in the following one or two billing periods. You’ve earned rewards when they have posted to your account by the end of the 12th consecutive billing period. You will not receive Double Cash Back if your account is closed or no longer in the cash back reward program as of the award date. This promotional offer may not be offered in the future. This exclusive offer is available only to new cardmembers.