CHECK CASHERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK RECOGNIZES 
YOUNG LEADERS WITH 2003 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Eighth Annual Award Announcement Brings Total to More Than $200,000

BROOKLYN, NY, May 13, 2003 -- Fifteen high school seniors from the five boroughs of New York were presented with college scholarships from the Check Cashers Association of New York (CCANY), in partnership with Travelers Express/MoneyGram Company Inc., at a ceremony held Tuesday (May 13th) at the New York Marriott Brooklyn Hotel as part of a program designed to reward deserving future leaders.  CCANY is a not-for-profit trade association that serves 500 neighborhood financial service centers from Long Island to Buffalo.

Now in its eighth year the scholarship program, “Rewarding Young Leaders in Our Communities,” awards one time cash grants to outstanding high school seniors using the following selection criteria: a commitment to community service, perseverance in the face of significant obstacles, leadership skills in school, financial need and academic achievement as selection criteria. The scholarships are presented in cooperation with the New York City Department of Education. In total, CCANY and Travelers Express/MoneyGram awarded $35,500 to some of New York’s brightest future leaders. In eight years of running the program, more than $200,000 in scholarships have been awarded.

One $7,500 scholarship was awarded to the most exceptional candidate, while first place winners received $3,000 each. Second and third place scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000 were also awarded.

“The CCANY scholarship winners are truly the best and brightest. These young men and women epitomize the future of our community,” said Sanford (Sandy) Herman, CCANY scholarship chairman. “All have excelled in school and are leaders in their communities. It’s a privilege to help these young adults achieve their goals.”

The winners of the 2003 CCANY—Travelers Express/MoneyGram Scholarships are:

Grand Prize Winner ($7,500):

• Belle Liu, Staten Island
  Susan Wagner High School

First Place Winners ($3,000):

• Cristian Quizhpi, Bronx          
  DeWitt Clinton High School  
         

• Katrina Galic, Manhattan         
  Washington Irving High School         

• Jose Ramirez, Queens
  Grover Cleveland High School  
    

• Alicia Canzius, Bronx
  New School for Arts & Science
  
  

• Christine Topacio, Staten Island
  Staten Island Technical
  
  

• Brianna Seagriff, Brooklyn
  New Utrecht High School

Second Place Winners ($1,500):

• Dun Hui Chen, Manhattan
  Manhattan Comprehensive    

• Tina Shah, Queens
  W.C. Bryant High School           
                          

• Crystal Raso, Staten Island
  Curtis High School
  
  

• Tiffany Ting Lai, Brooklyn
  E.R. Murrow High School
  

Third Place Winners ($1,000):

• Janelle Todman, Bronx
  H.H. Lehman High School         
  
  

• Tanya Lam, Queens
  W.C. Bryant High School       
                   

• Kevin Koon-Pon Chan, Manhattan
  Stuyvesant High School
  
  

• Galina  Genkina, Brooklyn
  Midwood High School at Brooklyn College

The Check Cashers Association of New York is the industry’s leading voice on legislative, regulatory and business issues and the rights of consumers to access basic financial services in New York. Check cashers employ over 2,700 residents statewide and cash checks with a face value of $14 billion. The maximum check cashing fee, regulated by the New York Department of Banking, is 1.4% of the face value, the lowest rate in the nation.

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Note:  Prior to May 2004, the Financial Service Centers of New York (FSCNY) was named the Check Cashers Association of New York (CCANY). Consequently, press releases and articles during that time period reflect the organization's CCANY name.