Sun Life to award $110,000 in grants & scholarships to nonprofits that provide educational opportunities & promote financial stability to youth in large urban school districts

Company Website: http://www.sunliferisingstar.com
WELLESLEY, Mass. -- (Business Wire)

The U.S. group of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE: SLF, TSX: SLF) today announced it is accepting Sun Life Rising Star Award grant applications from nonprofit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area that advocate for youth from under-served communities. Applications are now available at www.SunLifeRisingStar.com. The deadline for submissions is June 13.

Each winning organization will receive a $50,000 grant, and as part of the application process, each organization will nominate an exemplary student for a $5,000 Sun Life Rising Star scholarship towards financing a college education. In addition to monetary support, the Sun Life Rising Star Awards program will provide winning organizations with educational curriculum and other resources to increase financial literacy among students.

The Sun Life Rising Star Awards program, now in its third year, addresses low high school graduation rates in large urban school districts by providing financial resources and education to students and nonprofit organizations committed to increasing success in high school and beyond, as well as promoting financial literacy as a means to achieve life-long financial wellness and stability. This year, Sun Life Financial expanded the program to seven cities from five in 2011, and will award grants and scholarships to outstanding students and nonprofit organizations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia and South Florida. Since 2010, Sun Life Financial has committed nearly $3 million to the program.

“Financial literacy and education are critical factors to the success of the U.S. economy and to the development of a quality work force, which is why it’s a priority for Sun Life to continue investing in and improving the lives of students who are committed to furthering their education," said Sun Life Financial U.S. President Wes Thompson. “It is our intention that the Sun Life Rising Star Awards serve as a catalyst to help these incredibly talented and deserving students and organizations embark on a path to a sound financial future.”

To be considered for a Sun Life Rising Star Award grant, organizations must have 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status, promote skills that directly translate to educational success in high school to students under the age of 21, and be aligned with a secondary or post-secondary educational institution. Applications will be reviewed by a local judging panel consisting of community leaders and senior-level educators.

As part of the application process, each nonprofit will nominate an outstanding student from its organization for a chance to receive a $5,000 college scholarship. Nominees must be high school seniors actively involved in an organization that shares the Sun Life Rising Star Awards’ mission; they must also plan to pursue post-secondary education, exhibit leadership qualities, and demonstrate a strong commitment to their communities. Nominated students are required to submit a 750-word essay on how financial education contributes to future success.

Later this year, Sun Life will surprise winning students in each city with their $5,000 scholarships at unique award presentations led by prominent local community members.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. In the United States and elsewhere, insurance products are offered by members of the Sun Life Financial group that are insurance companies. Sun Life Financial Inc., the holding company for the Sun Life Financial group of companies, is a public company. It is not an insurance company and does not offer insurance products for sale in the United States or elsewhere, and does not guarantee the obligations of its insurance company subsidiaries. In the United States, Sun Life Financial provides a range of products and services to employers and their employees. The U.S. Employee Benefits Group Division of Sun Life Financial offers group and voluntary life, disability, dental and stop-loss insurance products. These products are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada in all states except New York. In New York, these products are issued by Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York. Product offerings may not be available in all states and may vary depending on state laws and regulations. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com/us. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

SLPC 24132 04/2012 (Exp. 04/2013)

Contacts:

Sun Life Financial Inc.
Alexi Maravel, 781-446-1624
alexi.maravel@sunlife.com
or
elevate
Keith Gainsboro, 857-234-1481
kgainsboro@elevatecom.com

Source: Sun Life Financial Inc.