Monster Announces Making College Financing Count; Program Offers Parents Financial Solutions During Challenging Economic Times

MAYNARD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2004--With spring fast approaching and college acceptance letters beginning to appear in students' mailboxes, families nationwide are preparing to take the next educational step -- choosing which college to attend in the fall. While an exciting time, students and parents alike also feel the angst associated with financing this level of schooling. To assist families in this important process, Monster(R), in conjunction with College Solutions Network, today announced Making College Financing Count, a financial aid education program that offers planning advice to help pay for a college education. Making it Count, an educational service provider for students and parents, is a service of Monster, the leading global online careers property and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST).

The Issue: Rising College Tuition Costs

The educational landscape continues to change, in part due to tuition increases that skyrocketed past the average annual increase of the average family's income. According to The College Board's 2003 annual study on tuition and student aid trends, the average increase at a four-year public school in Fall 2003 was 14.1 percent. Since 1993-94, average tuition and fees have risen 47 percent at four-year public colleges and universities, and 42 percent at private colleges.

The Solution: Smart Financial Planning and Scholarships

In an economy that remains unsteady, the financial pressures associated with tuition payments have become increasingly overwhelming for parents. To address this need, Monster's Making it Count program has developed Making College Financing Count. The live, free evening seminar is designed specifically for parents of students in grades 9-12 and shows how to use all available resources to help pay for college.

Utilizing a five-level strategic plan, this seminar demonstrates a variety of strategies and actions that can assist families in receiving financial aid as well as providing long-term financing and loan options. Parents can begin with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and also can utilize FastWeb, the Internet's leading scholarship search service, to unearth several opportunities to help pay for college.

The Making College Financing Count program has achieved great success this year, with plans to reach parents across the nation. Already 500 high schools have chosen to host the program. According to one parent who recently participated in the seminar, "This presentation was one of the most professional, stimulating and all-inclusive financial aid presentations I have ever experienced!" For more information, go to http://www.makingitcount.com/seminar.

Making College Financing Count is one of several Making it Count programs. Other programs include: Making High School Count, Making Your College Search Count, Making College Count, and Making College Count Orientation. All Making it Count programs are designed to educate and motivate students on how to recognize their potential for future success and make the most of their high school and college experiences; they are encouraged to use a "success map" to achieve and excel in their personal and professional educational endeavors.

About Monster

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Maynard, Mass., Monster is the leading global careers website, recording over 52.5 million visits during the month of January 2004, according to independent research conducted by I/PRO. Monster connects the most progressive companies with the most qualified career-minded individuals, offering innovative technology and superior services that give them more control over the recruiting process. The Monster global network consists of local content and language sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Scotland, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, India, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and Finland. Monster is the official online career management services sponsor of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. More information about Monster is available at http://www.monster.com/ or by calling 1-800-MONSTER.

About Monster Worldwide

Founded in 1967, Monster Worldwide, Inc. is the parent company of Monster(R), the leading global online careers property. The company also owns TMP Worldwide, the world's largest Yellow Pages advertising agency and one of the world's largest Recruitment Advertising agency networks. TMP Worldwide is also a provider of direct marketing services. Headquartered in New York with approximately 4,300 employees in 19 countries, Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST) is a member of the S&P 500 Index. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://www.monsterworldwide.com/.

About Making it Count

Making it Count is a nationally recognized series of live, in-school presentations that educates and motivates teens to excel in both personal and professional educational endeavors. Delivered by a roster of skilled presenters from a variety of backgrounds, including members of the U.S. Olympic team, the corporate-sponsored programs will reach their 10 millionth student this year, and are hosted at over 5,000 high schools and 500 colleges nationwide. More information is available at http://www.makingitcount.com/.

About College Solutions Network

College Solutions Network, LLC ("CSN"), is a national provider of educational financing solutions that help consumers through a major life event (the pursuit of post-secondary education). CSN offers a comprehensive and technologically advanced set of products and services designed to assist families in preparing for, applying to, and paying for college. They deliver these products and services in a customized and proactive format and provide a one-on-one personalized approach to make educational financing a stress free event. More information is available at www.csnamerica.com.

Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the company's strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of our control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, risks associated with acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in our Form 10-K and our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.

CONTACT: Monster
Kevin Mullins, 978-461-8751
kevin.mullins@monster.com
or
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
Jackie Pigliucci, 617-520-7066
jpigliucci@webershandwick.com

SOURCE: Monster