Navient Foundation contributes $15,000 to Starfish

FISHERS, Ind., Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High school students in Indiana will receive the support and encouragement they need to attend college, thanks to the Starfish Initiative, a college access and readiness program serving economically disadvantaged high school students in Marion County.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...eea8b01c50

To support the program, Navient Foundation, the company-sponsored philanthropic fund, has contributed $15,000 to assist the organization’s mentoring program for students and to support their 2017 Senior Send-Off Day, which includes workshops and activities for high school graduate scholars, preparing them for their freshman year at college.

“We are grateful to the Navient Foundation for its long-standing support of Starfish Initiative,” said Robert Kizer, president and CEO, Starfish Initiative. “This support is critical to helping many promising students in our community who face the obstacles of accessing college due to family financial limitation, realize their dreams of a post-secondary education.”

Every student enrolled in the Starfish program is matched with a college-educated volunteer adult mentor whose job is to help guide and support throughout high school, with the goal of having each student enroll and get accepted into college.

“Graduating from college – not just attending, but finishing – is key to launching a successful career,” said Jon Kroehler, senior vice president, Navient. “The individualized support that each student receives in the Starfish program gives them the drive to finish and guidance to succeed, and we are proud to offer our support.”

Starfish Initiative estimates that it will have served more than 1,000 students since its founding in 2003. In addition, 98 percent of Starfish Scholars went on to college. Seventy-four percent have obtained or continue to pursue a postsecondary degree – double the average in the state among its student 21st Century Scholar peers, a state program that provides tuition for students who meet certain grade and household income requirements.

Learn more about Starfish Initiative .

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About Navient As the nation's leading loan management, servicing and asset recovery company, Navient (Nasdaq: NAVI ) helps customers navigate the path to financial success. Servicing more than $300 billion in student loans, the company supports the educational and economic achievements of more than 12 million Americans. A growing number of public and private sector clients rely on Navient for proven solutions to meet their financial goals. Navient Foundation is the company-sponsored philanthropic fund. Learn more at navient.com.

Contact: Nick LaMastra, 302-283-2964, nicholas.lamastra@navient.com