The Hartford Awards $242,000 In Scholarships To 13 City High School Seniors

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG), one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services companies, has announced this year’s recipients of its two annual college scholarship programs – the Alliance for Academic Achievement Scholarship and the STAG Leadership Scholarship. For the student recipients, their dreams of a college education will move a step closer to reality thanks to their steadfast dedication in school along with a total of $242,000 in four-year scholarships from The Hartford. "The Hartford is pleased to award these exceptional students with the gift of education through these four-year scholarships, summer employment and mentoring opportunities,” said Joshua King, vice president of media and community relations. "The Hartford’s philanthropic giving program is focused in large part on proven educational initiatives as a way to reach many deserving young people in our community. We’re proud to have so many talented graduates of the STAG and Alliance Programs now working among us as employees of The Hartford.” This year, ten college-bound seniors were awarded the Alliance scholarship, which offers $5,000 in financial aid annually. In addition, three seniors have received the STAG Leadership scholarship, which provides $3,500 in financial aid annually. Both scholarship programs provide four years of financial aid, summer employment, mentoring and life skills courses. The names, high schools and colleges of the 2008 Alliance for Academic Achievement scholars include: Michael Budhram, Bulkeley High School; University of Connecticut Adana Contreras, University High School of Science and Engineering; Trinity College JoAnn Dominique, Pathways to Technology Magnet School; University of Connecticut Tania Mandigo, Bulkeley High School; University of Connecticut Qendrim Misini, Sport & Medical Sciences Academy; University of Connecticut Nhi Nquyen, Bulkeley High School; University of Connecticut Pierre Plath, Hartford Public High School; Trinity College Jhonny Ruiz, Hartford Public High School; Trinity College Jonida Sntembari, Bulkeley High School; Trinity College Phylicia Ward, Sport & Medical Sciences Academy; Howard University The names, high schools and colleges of the 2008 STAG Leadership Scholarship recipients are: Denise Mitchell, Pathways to Technology Magnet School; University of Connecticut Devin Teal, Pathways to Technology Magnet School; Southern Connecticut State University Miguel Vazquez, Pathways to Technology Magnet School; Babson College The STAG program, now in its 42nd year, is an internship program for juniors and seniors from Hartford public and magnet high schools. STAG students receive job and life skills training through after-school and summer employment at The Hartford. Since the founding of the STAG program in 1966, more than 1,600 students have graduated from the program and more than 250 are currently full-time Hartford employees. The Alliance for Academic Achievement program, which is a partnership between The Hartford, Trinity College, the University of Connecticut and Howard University, supports Hartford public and magnet school students through their college years, offering them scholarships and summer employment at The Hartford. Since its inception in 1999, more than 115 students have attended college through the program. Program graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields, including education, health care, law and financial services. The Hartford gives more than $6.5 million annually to philanthropic programs, making community giving an integral part of its company culture. In 2007, The Hartford announced a $1 million commitment to Teach For America-Connecticut, supporting the expansion of the organization into the Hartford Public Schools beginning with the 2007-2008 school year. The grant, to be distributed over five years, will allow college graduates from top schools around the country to teach in the city of Hartford and work towards closing the academic achievement gap. Last year, The Hartford invested more than $1.5 million to improve educational opportunities in the city of Hartford through college scholarships, internships for high school and college students, grants to nonprofits that provide programs to city schools, partnerships with three public schools and volunteer programs where several hundred employees tutor and mentor city students regularly. For more information on The Hartford’s corporate giving programs, please visit http://www.thehartford.com/corporategiving. About The Hartford The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with 2007 revenues of $25.9 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Ireland. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com. HIG-C Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.