MIAMI LAKES, FL – BankUnited has teamed up with the Miami HEAT to award $25,000 in total scholarship funds to five deserving high school seniors enrolled in a Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County public or private school.

Now in its 18th year, the Miami HEAT Scholarship Program has increased the amount of scholarships it will award this year from four $2,500 scholarships to five $5,000 scholarships, thanks in part to a sponsorship from BankUnited.

Miami HEAT Scholarships presented by BankUnited will be awarded based on excellent academic performance, outstanding community service and financial need. Students may submit applications to the Miami HEAT postmarked by April 5, 2014.

“BankUnited is proud to partner with the Miami HEAT to support five of South Florida’s most deserving high school seniors in their pursuit of a college education,” said John Kanas, BankUnited chairman, president and CEO. “We fully encourage all students to take advantage of every opportunity to further their education and pursue their dreams, and are pleased the Miami HEAT does its part to emphasize the importance of education.”

“We are thrilled to have BankUnited join us in our support of South Florida’s hard-working and dedicated high school seniors,” said Eric Woolworth, President of The HEAT Group’s Business Operations. “Thanks to the support of BankUnited, we will be able to provide five deserving seniors with financial assistance that will help them in the pursuit of their college educations.”

For more information and to download a copy of the application with detailed requirements please visit www.nba.com/heat/community/community_education_scholarships.html.

About BankUnited, N.A.

BankUnited, N.A., a national bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE: BKU), is headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida with $14.9 billion of assets, 99 branches in 15 Florida counties and six banking centers in the New York metropolitan area at December 31, 2013. Ranked 8th on Forbes Magazine's list of "Best Banks in America 2013," and one of the largest independent depository institutions headquartered in Florida by assets, BankUnited provides a wide range of commercial and consumer banking services.  For additional information, call (877) 779-2265 or visit www.BankUnited.com. BankUnited can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/BankUnited.official and on Twitter @BankUnited.