Released on: September 14, 2007, 12:47 pm

Press Release Author: Brooke Heath

Industry: Education

Press Release Summary: Study says that those with college educations are more likely
to lead lives that benefit themselves, their families and their communities.

Press Release Body: A recent study conducted by the College Board shows that
citizens with college educations not only have higher levels of income than those
without but also that college graduates contribute more to their communities and
societies as well as benefit others.

Released this week during a panel discussion on Capitol Hill, the report, entitled
"Education Pays: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society,"
says its findings show that individuals with college educations are more likely to
receive multiple benefits for themselves and their families. In addition to having
higher incomes and lower unemployment and poverty levels, college grads are more
likely to receive healthcare benefits from their employers, engage in leisure-time
exercise, and avoid smoking compared with those who have less education, leading
them to have healthier lifestyles overall.

Additionally, children of parents who have completed higher levels of education are
more likely to be involved in extracurricular activities and be prepared for school
than children of parents without college educations.

The study continues to reveal that college education is rewarding not only to
individuals and their families but also to the societies and communities in which
they live. The study's results show that those with higher levels of education are
more likely to give back to their communities by participating in civic duties such
as volunteer work, voting, and blood donation. They also show that those with
higher levels of education have greater levels of openness to the opinions of
others.

In addition to performing more civic work for their communities, the report shows
that those with college degrees help to increase the income of all employees in the
metropolitan areas where they work. Therefore, even workers with lower education
levels will most likely earn more if others in their areas have higher levels of
education.

According to Higher Education Washington, Inc.'s NewsLine, College Board President
Gaston Caperton said in a statement, "Higher education's broad payoff-which includes
both monetary and nonmonetary benefits-should motivate U.S. policymakers to work
toward improving access to postsecondary education for all segments of the
population."



"[Higher education] yields a high rate of return for students from all racial/ethnic
groups, for men and for women, and for those from all family backgrounds. It also
delivers a high rate of return for society," the study says.

"In the current climate of rising college prices and budget constraints at all
levels of government, it is particularly important that the benefits of higher
education receive as much attention as the costs," said Caperton in his statement.
"[This study illustrates] the role of higher education in creating opportunities for
students and in strengthening our country as a whole."

"By helping people to get the college education that they want and deserve, we are,
in turn, strengthening our future economy and society," said EdFed loan counselor
Jennifer Munson.

"Our goal at EdFed is to help students realize their dream of earning their college
degree and helping graduates and professionals manage the student loans that may
result from obtaining an education," Munson added.

About EdFed:

As a leader in the student loan industry, EdFed is dedicated to helping students and
graduates realize all of their educational goals and meet their student loan and
consolidation needs.

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Web Site: http://www.edfed.com

Contact Details: 175 S. Lake Ave.
Suite 200
Pasadena, CA 91101