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UnitedHealthcare Celebrates Season of Giving With Record-Setting Contribution to Step Up For Students

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More than 400 children in Collier County benefit from Florida Tax Credit Scholarships

In this season of giving, UnitedHealthcare announced today a record-breaking contribution of $15 million to Step Up For Students, the nonprofit that helps administer the needs-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
Step Up For Students celebrated the support and contributions of UnitedHealthcare during an event at Naples Adventist Christian School. Since 2009, UnitedHealthcare has contributed more than $88 million to Step Up For Students, providing scholarships for nearly 17,000 students across Florida to attend either an out-of-district public school or private school that best suits their academic needs.
“UnitedHealthcare is proud to partner with Step Up For Students and support this impressive organization which invests in the future of our children,” said Nicholas Zaffiris, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of South Florida. “Especially during the holiday season, it’s important to support programs in our communities that help others. Step Up provides hope for Florida’s children to access a quality education that best fits their needs, and we are glad to support such a worthy initiative.”
Step Up For Students, the nonprofit organization that helps administer the income-based FTC Scholarship Program, is providing opportunities for nearly 105,000 lower-income students across Florida this school year with 441 residing in Collier County
“None of this would be possible without the support of the community and contributions of organizations like UnitedHealthcare,” said Doug Tuthill, president of Step Up For Students. “I’m just so pleased to know that together with our partners we are making such an important difference in our state by giving students the educational opportunities they deserve.”
At the event, Audrey Wainwright, principal at Naples Adventist Christian School, shared her support for the Step Up organization and thanked UnitedHealthcare for its ongoing commitment to the program. She encouraged other companies to consider participation.
“I have seen first-hand the benefits of this scholarship program,” Wainwright said. “So many of our students have made tremendous improvements with the help of Step Up For Students, leading to a better future for themselves and our state.”
Scholarship parent Onetia Lansiquot, who spoke at the event, said the scholarship has allowed her to provide her daughter, Leilah, a second-grader at Naples Adventist, with strong academics in a comfortable, secure environment.
“Without Step Up For Students, Leilah would likely be going to a charter or public school,” Lansiquot said before thanking UnitedHealthcare. “I’m sure her progress would be OK, but being in a private school, she gets that extra attention, that extra little push, ensuring that her educational needs are met. You are truly changing lives by investing in the future of our children’s education, and my family is so grateful.”
To learn more about UnitedHealthcare, visit uhc.com. To learn more about the impact of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program and how to support Step Up For Students, visit stepupforstudents.org.

Insurance Industry Leaders Provide Record-Setting Contributions to Step Up For Students

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More than 7,400 children in Duval County benefit from Florida Tax Credit Scholarships

Florida’s insurance industry has stepped up to support the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program at a record level, committing $61.2 million this year to fund scholarships for more than 9,380 students. Leading the pack is UnitedHealthcare, which has contributed more than $83 million to Step Up for Students over the past decade.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Greg Reidy today visited Arlington Community Academy whose students are among the beneficiaries of the scholarships, to promote the program’s impact and encourage other insurance companies to participate.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Greg Reidy speaks to students at Arlington Community Academy 

“By helping struggling students get into an educational environment where they can succeed, we know we are helping to make our state stronger,” said Greg Reidy, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. “It’s gratifying to meet the students who are benefiting from these scholarships and see them on a track to reach their full potential.”

Step Up For Students, the nonprofit organization that helps administer the needs-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, praised the insurance company’s historic support for the program. Step Up For Students provides scholarships for income-limited students to attend the schools that best meet their individual needs.  A recent study found that students who receive these scholarships are 40 percent more likely to attend college than their public school counterparts, and 29 percent more likely to earn an associate degree.

Since 2009, UnitedHealthcare’s contributions have enabled  more than 18,000 Florida students to attend schools that offer them a chance at a brighter future. The company’s recent contribution will help serve the 7,483 students who receive the scholarships in Duval County alone.

“Support from Florida’s insurance industry is critical for the work our team does to support children across the state,” said Doug Tuthill, president of Step Up For Students. “This contribution is an investment in students, and it enables the positive impacts of this program to continue and expand to change more lives for the better.”

Arlington Community Academy students

Families and students who have benefitted from the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program added their voices  in support of the insurance industry’s efforts, urging other companies to consider participation.

“This program directly helps children in our local area, and I am grateful that my own child can now attend the school that’s right for her,” said Jacksonville parent Tamara Herring. “I am so grateful for the many donors who support this program, individuals and companies that are helping children like mine have a better future. Every child deserves that chance.”

To learn more about UnitedHealthcare, CLICK HERE. To learn more about the impact of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program or how to support Step Up for Students, visit www.stepupforstudents.org.