As Application Deadline Approaches, Wal-Mart Urges Students To Apply For Scholarship

Web site provides easy access to Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Wal-Mart Scholarship application

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – With the February 18 application deadline fast approaching, Wal-Mart is encouraging high school students to submit applications for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)/Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. High School Scholarship. Links to the HSF/Wal-Mart scholarship application, along with additional educational resources and information, can be found on Wal-Mart’s Web site, www.AhorraMasViveMejor.com.

The HSF/Wal-Mart high school scholarship program is funded by a $3 million multi-year grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation that also funds the HSF/Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. College Scholarship. Both programs provide scholarships to students advancing their education at accredited four-year colleges and universities.

“The Wal-Mart Foundation understands that education is critical to the lives and well-being of all Americans – and education continues to be an important issue in the Hispanic community,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. “We are pleased to provide scholarship dollars designed to help young people get the quality education they need to be successful today and in the future.”

“The HSF is the nation’s leading Hispanic scholarship organization, providing the Hispanic community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. Last year, we awarded nearly 4,100 scholarships exceeding $26.6 million,” said Frank D. Alvarez, president and chief executive officer of HSF. “Our goal is to increase the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees and we believe we will accomplish this goal with the continuing support of Wal-Mart, its Foundation and like-minded organizations.”

The HSF/Wal-Mart high school scholarship is available on a competitive basis to graduating high school seniors of Hispanic heritage from selected geographical locations. Students must be enrolled full-time as first year freshmen during the 2009-2010 academic year. Awards are in the amount of $2,500. Eligibility requirements include:

* Be of Hispanic heritage
* Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident with permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551 (not expired)
* Be a graduating high school senior with plans to enroll full-time in a degree-seeking program at a four-year accredited U.S. institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam during the 2009-2010 academic year
* Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
* Must currently reside in one of the following metropolitan locations: Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C.
* Must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

“We are committed to providing our customers with the merchandise, services – and valuable information – that will help them live better,” said Stephen Quinn, chief marketing officer and executive vice president, Walmart U.S. “The commitment we have to our customers and the communities we serve provided the motivation for creating www.AhorraMasViveMejor.com.

In addition to scholarship information, AhorraMasViveMejor.com users will find a host of other tools and information relating to higher education. The site includes tips for preparing for college, planning and budgeting, study skills, test preparation, and loan information.

February is a critical time for high school students considering applying for a scholarship. Most scholarships for the fall 2009 semester are due earlier in the year from January to March, so students applying for scholarships need to submit their applications soon. Whether students are interested in becoming future technology gurus or interested in careers in finance, HSF has a menu of scholarships for students to choose from.

About Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the nation’s leading Hispanic scholarship organization, providing the Hispanic community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. In its 34 year history, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded over $250M in scholarships to more than 90,000 students in need. Two-thirds of these students were the first in their families to go to college.

During the 2007-08 academic year alone, HSF awarded nearly 4,100 scholarships worth close to $27M. HSF scholars are high achievers and they have or are attending close to 2,000 of the nation’s diverse and academically rigorous colleges and universities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of 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 $270 million to local United States communities. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmart.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.

Ed. Note: The terms “Wal-Mart” and Wal-Mart Stores” refer to the corporate entity. “Walmart,” expressed as one word and without hyphenation, refers to the brand name of the company’s U.S. operations. This distinction came after the Company announced the introduction of a new logo for its U.S. store operations in June 2008.