Accenture Opens Application Process for 2009 Scholarship Fund for American Indian Students

NEW YORK; March 31, 2009 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) is now accepting applications for its scholarship fund program for American Indian students.

The Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund, which is part of the company’s commitment to growing and developing talent in the communities where our people live and work, supports students with financial need entering fields of professional study.

“Now in its fifth year, the Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund continues to be a lifeline for American Indian and Alaska Native scholars seeking higher education and requiring financial assistance,” said Randy Willis, senior executive sponsor of Accenture’s American Indian interest group.

In 2009, Accenture will award three types of scholarships to high-achieving American Indian and Alaska Native students seeking degrees and careers in fields of study including various engineering, computer science, operations management, finance, marketing and other business oriented fields.

• Accenture Scholars: Three undergraduate scholarships, of $20,000 each (each award at $5,000 per year for four years), will be awarded to students pursuing a four-year degree
• Accenture Fellows: Two graduate scholarships, of $15,000 each (each award at $7,500 per year for two years), will be awarded to students pursuing an master’s or doctorate degree
• Finalist Scholarship: Two undergraduate scholarships, of $8,000 each (each award at $2,000 per year for four years) and two graduate scholarships, of $5,000 each (each award at $2,500 per year for two years).

Applicants will be evaluated based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership ability, commitment to preserving American Indian culture and communities and proof of enrollment in a federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribe.

The deadline to submit a 2009-2010 application is May 1 for undergraduates and June 1 for graduates. Specific eligibility criteria for the scholarships include the following. A successful candidate must:

• Be an enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group and provide a Certificate of Indian Blood
• Be seeking a degree and career in fields of study including various engineering, computer science, operations management, management, finance, marketing and other business oriented fields
• Be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree seeking college freshman or as a first year graduate or professional student.
  • Undergraduate: Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater, on a 4.0 scale at the end of the seventh semester of high school
  • Graduate/Professional: Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater, on a 4.0 scale as measured by undergraduate transcripts
• Demonstrate character, personal merit and commitment to the American Indian community locally and/or nationally. Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement and motivation to serve and succeed.

In addition to the funding, scholarship recipients are eligible for summer internships with Accenture, as first-year graduate students or junior-year undergraduate students.

For more information on how to apply for these Accenture sponsored scholarships, visit:
http://www.aigc.com/02scholarships/accenture/accenture.htm.
About Accenture Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With more than 181,000 people serving clients in over 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$23.39 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2008. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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Contact:

Susan Bruser
Accenture
+1 703-947-1746
susan.bruser@accenture.com

Stacey Jones
Accenture
+1 917-452-6561
Stacey.jones@accenture.com