Through Education for Better, the Foundation is on track to help train 50,000 women and youth across the Americas , European Union , Africa and Asia by 2020

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, the Western Union Foundation has announced the launch of the WU Scholars Program*, a global scholarship program focused on supporting students around the world to pursue a post-secondary education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), business and entrepreneurship.

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“The Western Union Foundation believes that education is the surest path to economic opportunity,” said John Dye , Western Union Foundation Chairman. “Educational pursuits to gain knowledge and skills for in-demand 21 ^st century careers are helping people all over the world rise up the economic ladder.”

The WU Scholars Program is part of the Western Union and Western Union Foundation’s global commitment to education through its flagship program Education for Better to advance educational opportunities for women, youth, migrants and refugees, through thought leadership, employee donations and volunteerism.

Last year, in connection with International Women’s Day, the Western Union Company and the Western Union Foundation announced an Education for Better commitment to invest USD $5M to train 50,000 women and youth across the Americas , European Union , Africa and Asia by 2020. Since the launch of the program, 6,686 beneficiaries have been trained resulting in 82 percent achieving improved employment opportunities and 83 percent achieving improved earning potential. To date, 67 percent of beneficiaries are women or girls.

“We know education is powerful, so we created the Program to give people all over the world a boost toward a better life,” said Elizabeth Roscoe , Executive Director of the Western Union Foundation . “We’re looking for students that embody the program’s three pillars by demonstrating perseverance, aspiration and are community-minded.”

As part of the WU Scholars program, the Western Union Foundation has pledged to award a minimum of 100 scholarships, along with Western Union Agent contributions. Through the WU+[You] Scholars Program, Western Union Agents and business partners can sponsor students in their region and receive a dollar-for-dollar contribution matched by the Western Union Foundation . Today, more than 15 Agents have already contributed to the program, including GraceKennedy Financial Services , Bangkok Bank Ltd. , Sogexpress, Capital Transfert, and Pay-O-Matic Check Cashing & Financial Services.

Scholarship recipients will receive USD $2,500 (or local currency equivalent) to contribute toward tuition or school fees at an accredited post-secondary institution. Applications will be accepted through April 12, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. EDT . Click here to watch the WU Scholars video and apply at www.WUScholars.org .

* The Program is administered and operated by the Institute of International Education, Inc. (IIE) a US private not-for-profit leader in the international exchange of people and ideas.

About The Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and with the support of The Western Union Company , its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. The Western Union Foundation has paid more than $111 million in charitable giving since inception in 2001. These funds have been pledged in more than 138 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org , or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.

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Source: The Western Union Foundation