Foresters awards 85 scholarships to Canadian students committed to academics and their communities

TORONTO, ON, July 07, 2011 � The financial burden of a post-secondary education just got a little lighter for 85 Canadian students with the help of ForestersTM Competitive Scholarship Program. Foresters, a life insurance provider committed to the well-being of families, has helped offset the high costs of a post-secondary education by awarding 350 renewable scholarships across North America to eligible members and their families.

Over almost 30 years, Foresters has awarded more than 4,700 scholarships � providing students with more than $27 million in financial support in the US and Canada. Applicants who share Foresters commitment to community service and demonstrate solid academic performance may qualify for up to $8,000 in support.

In addition, five Ken Peterson awards for Community Service are granted annually, offering up to $11,000. The award recognizes applicants who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and extraordinary effort and ability to overcome adversity, serving as role models in their communities.

“Foresters is proud of the hard work and dedication our scholarship recipients have demonstrated in their classroom and their communities,” said Kasia Czarski, Chief Membership and Marketing Officer at Foresters. “The Foresters Competitive Scholarships Program help cultivate the next generation of leaders and community volunteers while providing well-deserved financial assistance to these students as they work towards their educational goals.”

Foresters Competitive Scholarships are available annually to members, their spouses, dependent children and grandchildren who will be continuing their post-secondary education. Members interested in applying for a scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year can do so from December 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012.

“Community service has changed my perspective in life. It has given me a great appreciation for the life I have and how fortunate I am,” says Lisa Brown of Mississauga, ON. “Thanks to the Foresters scholarship, I’ll be able to strive to one day become a Leadership Development Educator while continuing to make a difference in my community.”

To obtain further details about the Foresters Competitive Scholarship program visit www.foresters.com/scholarships.

About Foresters

Founded in 1874 as a fraternal benefit society, ForestersTM champions the well-being of families through quality life insurance, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with more than 835,000 members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Unity Life of Canada1, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foresters, represents Foresters in Canada. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com.