Accenture Opens Application Process for 2006 Scholarship Fund for American Indian Students.

NEW YORK -- Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is now accepting applications for its scholarship fund program for American Indian students.

The Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund supports students with financial need entering fields of professional study. These scholarships are part of the company's commitment to the American Indian community; last year, Accenture became the management consulting and information technology services advisor to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

"The Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund meets a vital need for American Indian and Alaska Native students seeking higher education and requiring financial assistance," said Randy Willis, senior executive sponsor of Accenture's American Indian interest group.

In 2006, the Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund will award seven scholarships in total. Successful candidates will have excelled academically and demonstrated leadership ability, as well as commitment to community.

Specifically, Accenture will award three types of scholarships to high-achieving American Indian and Alaska Native students seeking degrees and careers in the teaching, social services, high technology or business fields:

--Accenture Scholars - three undergraduate scholarships of $20,000 each will be awarded to high school seniors pursuing a four-year undergraduate program at a U.S. university or college. Applications are due on May 2, 2006.

--Accenture Fellows - two graduate scholarships of $15,000 each will be awarded to undergraduate students pursuing an advanced degree at a U.S. accredited university or college. Applications are due on June 1, 2006.

--Finalist Scholarships - two undergraduate scholarships of $1,000 per year for four years and one graduate scholarship of $2,500 per year for two years will be awarded to candidates for the Accenture Scholars and Fellows scholarships.

Specific eligibility criteria for the scholarships are that a successful candidate:

--Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribe and be able to demonstrate involvement with or measurable interests in Native American activities or affairs.

--Undergraduate: Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the seventh semester of secondary school. Graduate/Professional: Have maintained a 3.3 GPA.

--Will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as full-time, degree-seeking freshmen or as a first-year graduate or professional student.

--Have demonstrated character, personal merit and commitment. Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed.

--Demonstrated financial need using federal guidelines and or merit.

In addition to the scholarship funds, scholarship recipients at the first year graduate level or junior year undergraduate level may be eligible for summer internships with Accenture.

This year, Accenture is once again partnering with the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) to administer the scholarship fund. AIGC is a charitable organization founded in 1969 with a mission to help Native American and Alaskan Native students make the critical connections with Indian communities, tribal leaders, and Indian organizations to ensure their greater involvement to help rebuild strong, healthy, self-reliant American Indian and Alaskan Native communities.

For more information on how to apply for these Accenture sponsored scholarships, visit: http://careers3.accenture.com/Careers/US/DiversityInclusion/aigc

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 126,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$15.55 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2005. Its home page is www.accenture.com.