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Scholarship recipients can earn undergraduate or graduate degrees from ���۴�ý

PHOENIX, March 5, 2015 –���ճ���� is collaborating again with ���۴�ý® School of Business to award 20 full-tuition scholarships to retail industry professionals who want to enhance their careers through education. The  program is open to any applicant who resides in the U.S. and works full or part-time for a retail or restaurant company, and meets additional eligibility criteria.

Hundreds of retail workers from companies across the U.S. applied for Dream BIG scholarships in 2014, and 20 deserving and ambitious recipients earned the scholarships. The stories shared by the 2014 Dream BIG applicants demonstrate the fulfilling and challenging career paths available for retail professionals who work hard and want to move up in their organizations. More information about the 2014 class can be found .

“Behind every great retail brand are great retail workers – truly the heart and soul of our industry and the fuel that keeps the fires going for hundreds of thousands of businesses throughout the country,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Many of these individuals share a common goal to grow personally and professionally in the retail industry and we want to help them get there. The Dream BIG Scholarship is more than just an opportunity to earn a degree, it’s a chance to help people recognize their full potential and prosper in their career path.”

“The multi-faceted retail industry moves at a fast pace and needs professionals who can grow with their organizations,” said Ruth Veloria, executive dean for ���۴�ý School of Business. “The retail sector employs millions of Americans, and as technology and consumer preferences evolve, ���۴�ý is committed to preparing the next generation of retail leaders with education that is aligned to industry needs. The industry offers many diverse and rewarding career paths and the scholarship was created to help retail employees realize their full potential and meet evolving employer needs.”

Applications are being accepted through March 31, 2015. Visit  to learn more about the program and to apply for the scholarship.

About National Retail Federation
As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s  campaign emphasizes the economic importance of retail and encourages policymakers to support a  aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation. .

About ���۴�ý
���۴�ý is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of  Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ), ���۴�ý serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.