Student Connections to provide innovative student success solutions

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 11, 2016 -- USA Funds® today announced the launch of a new division, Student Connections, which is dedicated to increasing student success in higher education. Student Connections' primary goal is to help students overcome the barriers to enrolling in college, completing their programs of study and achieving success after graduation.

Recognizing that students follow a variety of paths and encounter different obstacles in their quest for a higher education, Student Connections offers innovative solutions, developed in collaboration with higher education institutions and students, to provide relevant and engaging resources throughout the student life cycle. This new division directly supports USA Funds' nonprofit focus on Completion With a Purpose®, enhancing student success in college and career.

"Colleges and universities are under ever-increasing pressure from policymakers, employers and the students they serve to produce better outcomes," said Craig P. Anderson, president, Student Connections division. "Student Connections applies USA Funds' 56 years of experience working with thousands of higher education institutions to develop relevant and engaging resources that help students succeed at critical junctures along their education path."

Building on USA Funds' award-winning money management and student success program and default prevention and cohort management solutions for institutions, Student Connections is developing a continuum of services to bolster student success. Student Connections follows a collaborative, iterative product development model to promote continuous improvement and ensure its services connect with students.

"Student Connections extends USA Funds' more than half-century of service to higher education," said William D. Hansen, USA Funds president and CEO. "This new division complements USA Funds' philanthropic and social investment activities to help students on the road to lifelong success."

For more information about Student Connections, visit its new website, studentconnections.org, or follow Student Connections on Twitter at @StuConnections, on Facebook and on LinkedIn.

USA Funds is a nonprofit corporation that supports Completion With a Purpose, building a more purposeful path for America's students to and through college and on to rewarding careers and successful lives. USA Funds pursues its nonprofit mission through philanthropic activities and partnerships, policy research, and programs and services that enhance preparation for, access to and success in higher education. Learn more at www.usafunds.org.

CONTACT: Robert P. Murray
         Vice President, Corporate and Marketing Communications
         (317) 806-1283