Nordstrom Scholarship Program Doubles to Recognize 80 Deserving College-Bound Students

SEATTLE, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to giving back to communities, Nordstrom has expanded its annual scholarship program to now offer $10,000 college scholarships to 80 outstanding high school students around the country – double the number of scholarships available in previous years. The program's expansion now makes students in every state where Nordstrom has a full-line store eligible to apply for the awards.

"The expansion of the Nordstrom Scholarship is exciting because it means we are able to support even more deserving and hardworking young adults who are on the path to accomplishing great things," said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores at Nordstrom. "We've awarded scholarships and helped high school students pursue their dreams of higher education since 1994. Now, with educational funding an even greater challenge than ever, we feel extremely fortunate to give back in this very important way."

High school juniors located in areas where Nordstrom operates a full-line store who demonstrate outstanding community involvement, scholastic achievement and are planning on applying for financial aid are welcome to apply for the scholarship. The scholarships will be paid to the four-year college of the recipient's choice in equal installments over four years.

Nordstrom is encouraging students to apply for the scholarship through a traditional and online advertising program that uses the tagline "TEN4U," a play on the shortened number of characters often used in text messages and other social networking posts. "TEN4U" will be incorporated into an online, printable kit for school administrators that includes more information and materials about the program and will also be used in advertisements in local newspapers and on Facebook.

Scholarship applications, which include an essay, must be submitted online at www.nordstrom.com/scholarship between March 15 and May 16, 2011. Finalists will participate in an interview with a selection committee that includes educators, business leaders, community partners and Nordstrom representatives. Winning students will be notified by October 31, 2011.

For more information, visit www.nordstrom.com/scholarship.

About Nordstrom

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 206 stores located in 28 states.  Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 115 full-line stores, 88 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store.  Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence at www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs.  Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

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SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.