WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With spring semester beginning at University of Delaware, students are back to class preparing for the future day when they will receive their diplomas. To help make graduation a reality, Navient Foundation, the company-sponsored philanthropic fund, announced a $15,000 grant to University of Delaware’s NUCLEUS Program to support low-income and first-generation students.

“The NUCLEUS Program is very grateful for this generous grant from the Navient Foundation,” said Rosalind Johnson, assistant dean, University of Delaware, College of Arts and Sciences. “Over the past two years, the Navient Foundation’s financial support has enabled the NUCLEUS Program to provide direct assistance to low-income and first-generation students working toward attaining their college degrees.”

The grant will help the undergraduate support program ensure the academic success, retention and graduation of participating at-risk students through providing comprehensive academic services, connections, opportunities and information.

“Degree completion is critical to realizing a return on the investment in higher education,” said Sheila Ryan-Macie, senior vice president, Navient. “The Navient Foundation is proud to support University of Delaware’s comprehensive program to help more at-risk students achieve their degree and open the door to a bright future.”

According to new research from Navient and Ipsos, financial health increases with education and large majorities of college graduates say college education taught them the social, cultural and communication skills to increase career opportunities.

Learn more about the NUCLEUS Program.

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About Navient
As the nation's leading loan management, servicing and asset recovery company, Navient (Nasdaq:NAVI) helps customers navigate the path to financial success. Servicing more than $300 billion in student loans, the company supports the educational and economic achievements of more than 12 million Americans. A growing number of public and private sector clients rely on Navient for proven solutions to meet their financial goals. Learn more at navient.com. 

Contact:                                                                
Nick LaMastra, 302-283-2964, nicholas.lamastra@navient.com