WASHINGTON - Former President Bill Clinton and Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole announced today that they are teaming up to chair a scholarship fund campaign that will provide educational assistance for the children and spouses of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. The two promised to help build the "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund(tm)," which was founded by the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) and the Lumina Foundation for Education. Organizers hope to raise the funds needed to distribute at least $100 million to financially needy applicants for use at all types of postsecondary education, including two and four year colleges, trade and vocational schools, and others. The goal of the Fund is to continue for as long as there is need from the families of the attack victims.

In a statement, President Clinton said: "The tragedy of September 11th left many young people without parents. Young people who with a helping hand and the chance for a higher education will go on to great things. Young people who with your help might even go on to become President of the United States. I am honored to be working with Senator Dole on the 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund' to make sure that all of the victims of this tragedy can get the education that they want and deserve."

Senator Dole echoed those remarks, commenting that "Americans have shown extraordinary generosity and caring in the weeks following the attacks. I am grateful that we can play some small part in helping ease the burden of the victims and their families. The children of firefighters and police officers, flight crews and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon workers - all of the victims of the attacks -- have lost so much. We hope that this scholarship fund will help erase some of their doubts and fears about their future."

Andrew McKelvey, CEO of TMP Worldwide, announced that he is contributing $1 million to help jump start fundraising efforts for the Fund. Clinton and Dole have made public service television and radio spots that will be aired to promote the Fund. The public service announcement is scheduled to premier on Sunday, October 7, during the Emmy Awards broadcast on CBS television. McKelvey also announced that his company is providing a toll-free number that individuals can use to contribute, and TMP has worked with CFSA on the on-line presence for the Fund.

The Fund was founded and is being administered by CSFA, the nation's largest nonprofit private-sector scholarship and educational support organization, which through its other scholarship programs aided more than 85,000 students in 2000. (More information is available at http://www.csfa.org.) CSFA President William C. Nelsen said: "United we stand, today, tomorrow, and into the future as we remember the victims of the attack on America. The 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund' honors their memories by providing educational assistance for their children and spouses. We are honored to have Former President Clinton and Senator Dole help lead this effort for a brighter future. I am also grateful to Georgetown University for their help in making this announcement possible."

Nelsen continued that CSFA "started the Fund less than two weeks ago with an initial grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education of $3 million, and now we are gratified that Brocade Communications Systems and ONI Systems of Silicon Valley are spearheading the 'Technology Partners for Families of Freedom' with their contribution of $1 million in stock each and their initiative to raise $50 million of the $100 million goal from companies in the technology sector or related fields."

Hugh Martin, chairman, president and CEO of ONI Systems, said that the employees of his company were "deeply affected by the events of September 11 and eager to show their support. The concept for this 'Technology Partners' stock fund married perfectly with the stated goals of the 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund'."

Greg Reyes, Chairman and CEO of Brocade, added that "giving to the 'Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund' is an opportunity for technology companies across the country to join together to help ensure a bright future for the families of the victims of September 11. Together with ONI Systems, we are pleased to spearhead the effort to rally our industry to this important cause."

Harvard University has pledged $1 million to the Campaign and is joining with the American Council on Education to support this effort on behalf of higher education.

Individuals can donate or apply for scholarship funds on-line at http://www.familiesoffreedom.org or by calling toll free, 800-335-1102. Or they can donate by mail by making a check payable to Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America designating the "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund" and mail it to CSFA, 1501 Riverview Road, PO Box 297, St. Peter, MN 56082.

September 28, 2001

Dear Colleague:

The tragic events of September 11th in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania shocked our nation and the world. We will be grappling with the consequences of these events in many spheres of our life and society for a very long time.

No one has been more directly affected than the nearly 7,000 families who suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of these combined attacks. For these mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, this is a personal and deeply human tragedy. It is also, for many, a profoundly dislocating event in practical terms.

As members of the higher education community, we are in a unique position to understand the importance of education in building - and rebuilding - lives. I have heard from campus leaders across the country whose local college and university communities wish to contribute in various ways to the national relief effort. I know that many of you have already established your own scholarship or tuition-remission programs, but I also wanted to make you aware of a national effort by higher education to ensure the educational futures of victims of this tragedy.

At the request of some of our members, we in the higher education community have been helping to establish The September 11 College Fund. It will be administered by the Minnesota-based Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) as a part of its "Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund." Harvard University has contributed $1 million dollars to launch the effort and the American Council on Education will help publicize it. The money donated to this fund will provide assistance, based on need, to cover higher education expenses for dependents and survivors of those lost in the recent terrorist attacks at the institution of their choice. One hundred percent of donated funds will go directly to the students - none of the principal will be used for administrative expenses. This national scholarship fund is unique because it has been established by higher education as a way for faculty, staff and students at U.S. colleges and universities to assist in family relief efforts.

I hope you will consider The September 11 College Fund among your campus plans for helping those whose lives were changed forever by this terrible tragedy. Individual donations may be sent directly by individuals on your campuses to the

CSFA, as noted below, or they may be collected locally and forwarded together to the CSFA. All donations are tax deductible and will be individually acknowledged by the CSFA.

However your campus responds in this time of national need, know that your efforts are greatly appreciated, and remind the nation of our mission of service.

Sincerely,

David Ward
President
DW/cms

To Make a Donation:

On line: Visit http://www.familiesoffreedom.org; designate "September 11 College Fund"

Phone: Call 1-877-862-0136 with your credit card available, and designate "September 11 College Fund"

Check: Make payable to the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, designating "September 11 College Fund," and mail to Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, 1505 Riverview Road, P.O. Box 297, St. Peter, Minnesota 56082.

The September 11 College Fund
September 28, 2001