The following is a company-submitted press release and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Spaces4Learning.

Allstate Contributes More Than $1 Million to Fund Scholarships for Historically Black College and University Students

NORTHBROOK, IL – Allstate recently announced that the company has donated more than $1 million representing nearly 500 student scholarships distributed to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) since 2009 as part of its annual Quotes for Education (QFE) program.

Allstate is also introducing current Delaware State University student, Sharnada Martin, as its first-ever QFE student ambassador. A 2014 program scholarship recipient, Martin credits HBCU supporters who contributed to the QFE program for helping her succeed.

“The extra financial support that I received through Allstate’s Quotes for Education program ensured that I was able to focus more on my academic success and less on how I would pay for school,” says Martin. “Knowing that my education directly benefitted from this program makes me passionate about encouraging everyone to join Allstate in investing in the future of HBCUs and its students.”

Quotes for Education encourages the HBCU community to reflect the tradition and pride they have for their HBCU by helping Allstate raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in general scholarship funds to assist students attending HBCUs across the country. Since 2011, funds raised through the QFE program have been donated to the Tom Joyner Foundation, which is in its fifth year of partnering with Allstate on the program.

“These are hard times for students getting the money they need to attend and complete their college education,” says Tom Joyner, a Tuskegee University alumnus and chairman and founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation. “That’s why I’m so proud of the Tom Joyner Foundation and its partnership with Allstate and its Quotes for Education program. It has helped so many students complete their educations at HBCUs.”

Supporters of the HBCU community can help support current and future generations of HBCU students through the QFE program that began in August and runs through November 30. Allstate will donate $10, up to a program total of $200,000, for every person who receives an insurance quote from a participating Allstate agent and mentions “Quotes for Education,” or quotes online at www.allstate.com/HBCU.

Additionally, for the fourth year, HBCU fans have the chance to cast their vote for their favorite HBCU to receive $50,000 in scholarship funding from Allstate. Last year, Grambling State captured 35 percent of the vote, and also received the most votes the year prior, distributing the winning scholarship funds to 50 students each in both 2014 and 2015.

“Cuts to financial aid programs over the past several years are affecting HBCU students all over the country,” says Cheryl Harris, senior vice president at Allstate and alumna of Florida A&M University. “Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation are passionate about helping HBCU students become HBCU alumni and encourage the larger community to show their school pride by giving back through programs like Quotes for Education.”

To participate in the QFE program, visit allstate.com/HBCU to find a nearby participating agent, receive a quote online and for official rules.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life’s uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners have donated more than $405 million to support local communities.

About The Tom Joyner Foundation
The Tom Joyner Foundation was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU in its 18-year history to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs. Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support and career development to deserving students.