Davenport, IA, March 25, 2010—Kaplan University, a leading provider of online postsecondary education, today announced the launch of two new scholarship programs—the California Commitment Scholarship and the Experiential Learning Scholarship—which will award up to $2.5 million to California students over three years. Both awards are designed to help students affected by the fiscal crisis plaguing California’s state college system.

This news comes on the heels of the announcement of an agreement between Kaplan University and the California Community College’s Chancellors Office. This agreement allows California Community Colleges students to take single online courses at the University to fulfill their campus-based associate’s degree requirements.

“Kaplan University is employing a number of innovative solutions to help California students affected by the budget crisis,” said Gregory Marino, president of the Kaplan University Group. “Our new scholarship programs are designed to provide greater access to higher education and to help California students fulfill their academic goals.”

As a result of the state’s budget crisis, colleges and universities in California are cutting programs, faculty and enrollment, making it more difficult for students to complete their education. Through its California Commitment Scholarship, Kaplan University will award California-based students up to $5,000 in scholarships to use toward the University’s undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The University will also award $1,500 Experiential Learning Scholarships to students who qualify for enrollment in the University’s Portfolio Development course. This course uses a state-of-the-art, custom-developed software application to help students document their mastery of college-level course work using prior professional, military and other experiential learning. The students will develop a portfolio of college-level work they may use to petition for Kaplan University credits, which could help them complete their degree programs faster.

To qualify for these scholarships, students must be legal residents of California. For more information about the scholarship qualifications, visit www.CAscholarships.kaplan.edu.

Kaplan University provides a student-centered educational experience that combines a highly supportive environment with an outcomes-driven curriculum. The University offers a suite of personalized support services including career counseling, one-on-one academic advising, online tutoring and success diagnostics that help students craft a course of study that maximizes their career potential. It also allows students to customize their education through universal degree plans designed to allow students to transfer in previously earned college credits, military experience and qualified life credits. Kaplan also has 30 student clubs, professional organizations and honor societies.

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. Based in Davenport, Iowa, the University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Kaplan University has more than 125 academic programs and offerings, and serves more than 66,000 online and campus-based students. In addition to its online operations, the University has 10 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska and Maryland, and one Kaplan University Learning Center in Milwaukee.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 104,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States and abroad. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K through 12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest and fastest-growing division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit www.kaplan.edu/talent.

Michele Pore
(312) 706-6006
mpore@kaplan.edu

Linnea Brown
(954) 515-3651
lbrown3@kaplan.edu