The George Washington University, along with Giant Food, will underwrite IT’S ACADEMIC, the longest running quiz show on television, during its 45th year on the air. The spring season of the show, hosted by Mac McGarry, began on February 11 and airs on NBC4 on Saturdays at 10 a.m. IT’S ACADEMIC features high school students from the Washington, D.C., area.

GW also plans to provide other benefits for contestants on the show, which may include college application fee waivers or scholarships. “What could be more natural than a great Washington university encouraging the efforts of bright young people?” asked Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, president of The George Washington University. “IT’S ACADEMIC is a perfect example of a program that encourages and celebrates the pursuit of intellectual achievement.”