Since 1999, Visa has donated computer labs and its award-winning Practical Money Skills for Life financial literacy curriculum to high schools in high-need areas. To date, about 40 schools in 18 states have benefited from this outreach program, which awards computers to about 10 schools each year. Although there is no formal application process in place, Visa bases its awards on a set of criteria including:

• percentage of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch/Title 1 participation
• percentage of minority or LLL students, rural or geographically isolated schools
• severely impacted central city schools
• and lack of available computers for instructional purposes.

Visa also attempts to achieve geographic balance in the computer lab awards. If you believe your high school meets these criteria and you wish to be considered for a lab gift, please e-mail information about your school -- taking into account the factors identified above -- to info@practicalmoneyskills.com.