PPB October 2018

PPEF Scholarship Winners | FEATURE The Promotional Products Education Foundation continues to fund the dreams of the next generation. BY TERRY RAMSAY T he Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF), which recognizes and encourages scholastic excellence and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their college-aged children, awarded a record $200,000 in scholarships this year. Funded by donations from industry companies and individuals, PPEF has doubled its funding over the past five years. Since its founding in 1989, more than $1.9 million in financial assistance toward higher education has been awarded to 1,113 recipients. “We are all proud that the foundation continues to grow in awareness,” says Wayne Greenberg, MAS, chairman of the PPEF Board of Trustees. “More employees than ever before know there is money available to help send their kids to school.” CNBC reports that tuition at four-year institutions continues to skyrocket, with public school tuition averaging $9,970 for the 2017- 2018 school year. In contrast, tuition averaged $3,190* 30 years ago, reflecting an increase of 213 percent. The difference is significant for private schools, too: $34,740 for today’s students versus $15,160* in 1998—an increase of 129 percent. * Adjusted to reflect 2017 dollars FUTURE PROOF | OCTOBER 2018 | 63