Treasurer Curtis Loftis Awards Westminster Elementary School Student $529 Towards Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan

COLUMBIA, S.C., May 17 -- South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis Loftis issued the following news:

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis visited Westminster Elementary School to celebrate students who have completed the Future Scholar Financial Literacy program.

Treasurer Loftis also awarded the winner of the annual Future Scholar blog contest with $529 towards a Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan.

Since 2015,Treasurer Loftis, South Carolina's Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan, and SC Economics, have partnered with leading education technology company EVERFI, Inc., to bring the Future Scholar Financial Literacy program, an interactive, web-based financial management program, to every elementary and middle school across South Carolina at no cost to tax payers. This web-based program focuses on budgeting, career planning, saving, and investing through 3D gaming, animations, and video.

"Data shows that rigorous financial education delivered early in a young person's development leads to positive financial behaviors later in life," said Treasurer Loftis. "By providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to make smart financial decisions, we are investing in the future economic well-being of the communities we serve across South Carolina."

Mary Margaret Smith won the annual Future Scholar blog contest. Smith received $529 towards a Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plans and a prize pack. "The Future Scholar program has also helped me save money for college by putting most of my money into the bank and keep five to ten dollars to spend for myself."

Treasurer Loftis also presented Trixie Summerville, a School Counselor at Westminster Elementary, with the May Teacher of the Month Award and a $50 gift card for school supplies.

The Future Scholar Financial Literacy program has benefited more than 14,179 students in 163 schools across the state. The results: students' financial knowledge increased by an average of 36% after completing the course, based on pre- and post-assessment data collected in the 2015-2016 academic year.

Students who complete the Future Scholar Financial Literacy program had the opportunity to share what they learned from the program through an annual blog contest. Students answered one of the following questions:

* How has the Future Scholar Financial Literacy Program had an impact on your life and the decisions that you will make moving forward?

* What are your dreams for the future (college, travel, volunteering, pursuing your dream job)? How has the Future Scholar Financial Literacy Program helped prepare you to achieve those goals?

* Tell us about a financial mistake that you, or someone you know, has made. How would you change your actions based on what you now know through the Future Scholar Financial Literacy Program?

Treasurer Loftis, South Carolina's Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan, and SC Economics will continue to bring the Future Scholar Financial Literacy Program to elementary and middle schools across the state at no cost to the schools or the taxpayer for the upcoming school year. For more information on how your school can get started using the Future Scholar Financial Literacy program, go to http://scfuturescholar.everfi.com/.

About South Carolina's Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan

Future Scholar is an investment account that can help families save over time for the rising cost of a college education. Future Scholar has low management fees, as well as one of the best tax deductions in the country. Account funds can be used at any eligible two-or four-year educational institution, including out-of- state and some international schools. No minimum amount is required to open a Future Scholar investment account, and anyone can contribute to an account.

About SC Economics

The SC Council on Economic Education is a statewide non-profit dedicated to improving economic education and financial literacy by helping K-12th grade teachers and students to be active, successful, and prosperous members of our global economy. They offer free teacher training and educational resources as well as a wide variety of highly interactive student games, competitions, and events, which make learning fun! Visit our website at www.sceconomics.org for more information or email us at jim.morris@moore.sc.edu.

About EVERFI

EVERFI is the leading education technology company that provides learners of all ages education for the real world, through innovative and scalable digital learning. Founded in 2008, EVERFI is fueled by its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model and has certified over 16 million learners in critical skill areas. Some of America's leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EVERFI investors including ReThink, Advance Publications, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Twitter founder Evan Williams, and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt. The EVERFI Education Network powers more than 4,200 customers in their education initiatives across all 50 states and Canada. Learn more at www.everfi.com.