The Standard Partners With the University of Texas at Dallas to Increase Access to the Actuarial Science Program

The new scholarship program supports students who need financial assistance.

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) today announced a new partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas to provide a scholarship for students pursuing a degree in actuarial science who need financial assistance. The scholarship program is part of The Standard’s commitment to increasing access to careers in actuarial science.

The scholarship provides a renewable four-year award of up to $5,000 per year for a student planning a career in actuarial science. In addition to financial support, the scholarship program offers a paid internship at The Standard, allowing the student to earn money in a part-time role during the school year or over the summer.

Actuarial science — using mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk — is a cornerstone of The Standard’s success and a skillset that is in demand across industries. Historically, there have been barriers to pursuing this discipline including lack of awareness about career options as well as the cost of exam materials and credentialing fees for those who do choose this career track.

“The Standard Scholarship for Actuarial Science at UT Dallas is an important investment in the future,” said Lauren Canfield, executive vice president, chief corporate actuary and chief risk officer at The Standard. “It reinforces our company values, supports our recruiting efforts and helps energize and strengthen our actuarial community.”

The actuarial science program at UT Dallas is recognized as a Society of Actuaries Center of Actuarial Excellence, the highest level of SOA recognition for universities. The program offers students a well-rounded education with courses in actuarial and data science, mathematics, statistics, accounting, finance, economics and computer science. All students are prepared to take seven actuarial preliminary exams.

“We are deeply grateful to The Standard for this investment in our students and the future of the actuarial profession,” said Dr. Dean Hyndman, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at UT Dallas. “This scholarship program will help talented students overcome financial barriers while gaining the rigorous preparation and real-world experience needed to succeed as actuaries. Partnerships like this expand access to our nationally recognized actuarial science program and empower the next generation of risk and data professionals.”

About The Standard

Established in 1906, The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. We are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individual customers. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and group vision insurance, voluntary and supplemental benefits, absence management and paid family leave services, retirement plans products and services and annuities for employers and individual customers. For more information about The Standard, visit standard.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas provides the North Texas community with a hub for world-class education, cutting-edge research and professional development, making a global impact through its students, faculty and alumni.

With more than 150 academic programs across seven schools, UT Dallas enrolls more than 30,000 students and boasts an alumni community over 150,000 strong, two-thirds of whom reside and work in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. One of the fastest-growing public universities in the country, UT Dallas, is home to top-ranked programs in the sciences, engineering and management, with new and innovative arts programming helping to build a cultural destination for North Texas on the University’s Richardson campus.