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Students at Mount Royal College are the direct beneficiaries of a generous donation from BMO Financial Group to the Bright Minds, Bright Futures campaign. BMO Financial Group is donating $150,000 to create an endowed fund that will provide the first scholarships to students in the Bachelor of Applied Financial Services program.

Offered through the Bissett School of Business, the Bachelor of Applied Financial Services is a four-year applied degree program that prepares students for careers in the banking, insurance, accounting and investment industries by combining six semesters of classroom theory with two semesters of real world, on-the-job experience.

"Student success is one of Mount Royal's top priorities and this demonstration of support for our students from BMO Financial Group will ensure more people are able to pursue their academic and career goals in financial services," said Mount Royal President Dave Marshall.

"BMO Financial Group has a long history of promoting and supporting educational institutions across the country," remarked Ted McCarron, Senior Vice-President, Prairies Division, BMO Financial Group. "We are extremely pleased that this gift to Mount Royal College will ensure that students at one of Canada's finest educational institutions will have access to the financial support they require in order to pursue their studies."

"Financial Services is a relatively new program so having a major institution like BMO come forward gives us a tremendous boost," said Wendelin Fraser, Dean of the Bissett School of Business. "This enables us to get a really good start in terms of scholarships for students in this area. It's really a leg up for us." The scholarship fund will provide nine annual awards ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,000.

Curriculum in the Bachelor of Applied Financial Services program was developed through consultation with the industry to ensure students get the theory, skills and experience required by the financial services sector.

Fraser added that there are a wide range of career options available for graduates of this program. "With this applied degree you can work in banking, insurance, accounting and investments. As the economy becomes more global there is a world of opportunities for our students."

Bright Minds, Bright Futures, Mount Royal College's $25-million fundraising campaign, provides enhanced funding for the institution's top priorities: student success, excellence in teaching and innovative and relevant programs.

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