GEICO Scholarships Go to 6 Local Students

POWAY, Calif., Dec. 18, 2003 -- Six students from the San Diego area have received GEICO scholarships to pursue higher education for the 2003- 2004 school year. The scholarships are awarded to children of GEICO associates who have excelled academically. The recipients from the San Diego area are as follows:

   Vanessa Brettell -- Poway, Calif., Sophomore, Biola University
   Jason A. Benkner -- Escondido, Calif., Sophomore, Palomar College
   Ashley Overstreet -- San Diego, Calif., Freshman, California State
    University San Bernardino
   Alan Savarese -- San Diego, Calif., Junior, University of California at
    San Diego
   Rachael Hanewinckel -- Fallbrook, Calif., Sophomore, California Lutheran
    University
   Brandon Clarke -- Escondido, Calif., Freshman, California Polytechnic
    University, San Luis Obispo

"GEICO strongly believes in the importance of education," said Nancy Pierce, regional vice president of the company's Poway office. "We provide tuition reimbursement for our associates, GEICO scholarships for their children and other educational awards that are offered to the community."

This year 76 GEICO Scholars nationwide will be using GEICO scholarships to achieve their educational goals at an undergraduate or graduate institution. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 and are offered in the areas of academic achievement and financial need.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the fifth-largest private-passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 5.3 million policyholders and insures more than 8.6 million vehicles. GEICO uses television, radio, print media and direct mail to attract customers to call its 1-800-841-3000 number and visit its Web site, and keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO offers sales and claim services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, go to www.geico.com.