Monster Announces Bank of America as Sponsor for its Making it Count Program

Making College Financial Planning Count Offers Parents Financial Solutions During Challenging Economic Times
MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE) As 2004 draws to a close, students nationwide are completing their college applications and preparing to take the next educational step -- choosing which college to attend next year. While an exciting time, both students and parents feel the angst associated with financing this level of schooling. To assist families in this important process, Monster(R) provides Making College Financial Planning Count, an educational program for parents that offers planning advice on financing a college education. Today, Monster announced that Bank of America, one of the nationís largest providers of education financing solutions, is the primary corporate sponsor of the program. Making It Count, an educational service provider for students and parents, is a business unit of Monster, the leading global online careers property and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST).

The educational landscape has changed in recent years, due in part to annual tuition increases that far exceeded the growth in the average familyís income. Families today have many decisions to make when it comes to college financing. To address this need, Monsterís Making It Count business unit has developed Making College Financial Planning Count, specifically designed for parents of students in grades 9-12. Families who attend this live, free evening seminar learn how to evaluate their own financial situation in the context of paying for their childís college education. Using the information provided in this presentation, families are able to develop their own personal college-financing plan.

The new sponsorship agreement with Bank of America will provide thousands of parents with the information they need to help finance their childís college education. The program introduces a five-level plan designed to illustrate a variety of strategies that can be used to finance education. Topics of discussion include everything from filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to advice about locating scholarships.

We are pleased that Bank of America sees the value of our Making College Financial Planning Count presentation as a way to help parents plan for the difficult financial choices that lie ahead, said JR Cifani, Vice President for Making It Count.

At Bank of America, we strive to help students and their parents achieve their dreams of higher education. We see our sponsorship of Making College Financial Planning Count as a valuable extension of that work, said Kathy Cannon, Student Banking Executive.

Making College Financial Planning Count is one of several Making It Count programs. Other programs include: Making High School Count, Making Your College Search Count, Making College & Career Count, and The Ultimate Road Trip, for college freshmen. All Making It Count programs are designed to educate and empower students to recognize their potential for future success and make the most of their high school and college experiences.