Accenture Scholarships to Help Junior College, Community College Students Advance to Four-Year Institutions and Earn Summer Internships

As part of its corporate citizenship program, Accenture (NYSE: ACN) will offer scholarships to junior and community college students seeking four-year degrees. In addition to the scholarship funds, recipients at the junior-year undergraduate level may be eligible for summer internships at Accenture.

The Accenture Junior and Community College Scholarship Fund will support students entering bachelor's degree programs related to high technology and business. These scholarships are part of the company's commitment to providing access to higher education and developing a competitive U.S. workforce. In 2007, the scholarship fund will award up to 20 scholarships of $5,000 each, renewable up to one year or until a bachelor's degree is earned.

Accenture has selected Scholarship America, the nation's largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship and educational support organization, to administer the scholarship fund.

"Junior and community colleges do a wonderful job of preparing students to become better equipped to continue their education and to face real-world challenges," said Bill Green, Accenture's chairman and CEO, who credits his experience at Dean College in Franklin, Mass., for giving him his start. "We are very pleased to offer our support to outstanding junior and community college students who plan to earn undergraduate degrees and go on to work in high technology and business. The future of our country depends on an educated workforce, and I urge leaders of business and government to join us in helping students across America realize their full potential by completing their education and developing the skills that will enhance their careers."

The application period for the Accenture Junior and Community College Scholarship program begins today. Applications must be received by Feb. 15, 2007. Detailed information on the scholarship, including eligibility requirements and an application, can be obtained.

Successful candidates for the Accenture Junior and Community College Scholarship will have excelled academically and demonstrated leadership ability as well as commitment to community. To be eligible, candidates must:

* Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-year junior college or community college and plan to transfer to an accredited four-year college or university and pursue a baccalaureate degree;

* Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent); and

* Be seeking degrees and careers in the high technology and business fields.

Financial need will also be considered.

Commenting on the scholarship program, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said: "Ensuring that every qualified student can get a good college education is critical to strengthening our nation's economic competitiveness and our middle class. As a community college graduate, I know first-hand the valuable role that community and junior colleges serve in providing students with the foundations they need to move on to a four-year college or to become a part of our workforce, and I am thrilled that this scholarship initiative will help open the doors of opportunity for 20 exceptional students. As we continue to confront new challenges in global competitiveness and innovation, lawmakers, the business community, and colleges and universities all must work together to help make college more affordable and accessible for all students."

U.S. Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said, "California has a robust community college system that provides young people with great opportunities for entering the higher education system. I am excited that the business community is stepping up to encourage students to use community college as a stepping stone to achieve a bachelor's degree. Meeting the challenges of the 21st century will require Americans to be more educated than ever before. Community colleges are integral to America's ability to ensure that everyone who wants a higher education can get one. On that basis, I applaud Accenture's scholarship program."

Also commenting on the scholarship program, U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said, "Community colleges are one of America's great social inventions -- a gateway to the future for first-time students looking for an affordable college education and for mid-career students looking to get ahead in the workplace. I am pleased to see the private sector working to meet the needs of community college students working to get ahead. I want to make sure every student has access to a college education."

About Scholarship America

Scholarship America is one of the nation's largest non-profit, private-sector scholarship and educational support organizations. Its three primary programs - Dollars for Scholars®, Scholarship Management Services and ScholarShop® - are united in the mission to expand access to education. Scholarship America has awarded more than $1 billion to more than one million students since its founding in 1958.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 146,000 people in 49 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$16.65 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2006.