For Second Year in a Row, Nelnet Contributes $100,000 to the United Negro College Fund With Scholarships to Assist Deserving Minority Students

LINCOLN, Neb., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nelnet is pleased to announce that for a second year in a row, a $100,000 contribution to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was made, to assist deserving minority students in affording a higher education. As a platinum sponsor of the "UNCF Evening with the Stars Gala" in Indianapolis, Ind., Nelnet presented a check to UNCF President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Michael Lomax.

"Last year, Nelnet's support of UNCF allowed us to ensure that 100 students from around the country were able to pursue their dreams of a college education," said Lomax. "This year's gift will allow our partnership to continue to grow and support today's youth in their pursuit of academic excellence."

As Vice Chairperson of the Indianapolis UNCF gala, Cheryl Watson, Nelnet Chief Communications Officer, was honored to award the $100,000 for a second year in a row.

"Nelnet's partnership with the UNCF continues to provide tremendous opportunities for students to make their educational dreams possible."

Nelnet allocates more than a million dollars in scholarships to students nationwide. The Nelnet College Planning Web site, http://www.nelnet.net/collegeplanning, offers a clearinghouse of available scholarships and other planning for college resources. In addition, the Nelnet Foundation has been the philanthropic catalyst for the company, supporting scholarships and funding charities nationwide.

About the United Negro College Fund

As the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund's mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 25 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers nearly 450 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.

About Nelnet

Nelnet is one of the leading education finance companies in the United States and is focused on providing quality products and services to students and schools nationwide. Nelnet ranks among the nation's leaders in terms of total net student loan assets with $16.4 billion as of September 30, 2005. Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nelnet originates, consolidates, securitizes, holds, and services student loans, principally loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information is available at http://www.nelnet.net/.