Through the support of America’s leading brands, Upromise members have earned a record $400 million in savings toward higher education.  This is the equivalent of an average fully financed, four–year, public school education - including room and board - for more than 7,000 students.

Upromise continually increases opportunities for members to save while they shop, and kicked off 2008 adding several new partners including H&R Block, Budget Truck Rental and a new Upromise Auto Buying program delivered through Zag.  In addition, the company’s online shopping mall at Upromise.com has grown to offer savings with more than 575 retailers, including new partners such as Crabtree & Evelyn, Petite Sophisticate and XM Radio.

Upromise also helps members invest the money they have earned by allowing the quarterly transfer of earnings of $25 or more directly into any of the 529 college savings plans administered by Upromise Investments.  Upromise Investments is the largest administrator of direct-to-consumer 529 college savings plans with more than 1.4 million accounts and $19.5 billion in assets through 18 plans available in 11 states.

“With the skyrocketing costs of college, families need to take advantage of every planning and savings opportunity available to them,” said David Rochon, president, Upromise.   “We’re pleased that in less than seven years, our partners have turned the purchase of groceries, vacations and even homes into an impressive $400 million in college savings for Upromise members.”  

  “Upromise is a fantastic program and its contributions have truly made a major difference to our college savings,” said Lisa Roll, a financial advisor and mother of two from New Jersey . “My husband and I have saved more than $5,000 shopping through Upromise partners for items we needed to purchase anyway.   It’s simple, helpful and free.” [1] 

To combat the growing concern about the attainability of a college education in the U.S. , Upromise continues to collaborate with many of the nation’s top brands to increase opportunities for earning college savings rewards.   Americans looking to begin 2008 by jumpstarting or simply boosting their college savings can visit Upromise.com and find more than 70,000 opportunities to save. Timely new offerings include:

• As we enter tax season, H&R Block is now offering Upromise college savings of $15 when members have their federal taxes prepared at a participating office by April 15, 2008, $5 for referring a friend to a participating H&R Block office and eight percent college savings on their eligible online products and services.
• Whether taking your child to college or moving your family across the country, Upromise members can now earn four percent college savings on rentals from Budget Truck Rental in the United States .   Everything from getting a rate to confirming a reservation can be done at www.budgettruck.com/upromise, in person at a retail location or by phone at 1-800-GO-BUDGET [1-800-462-8343] using coupon code UPROM.
• Upromise members can now research and purchase a new or used car online and receive a $50 college savings contribution.  The Upromise Auto Buying program is enabled by Zag, a leading technology and services company that works closely with a select nationwide network of premium dealers that provide up-front discounted pricing and a no-hassle delivery process.

* Specific terms and conditions for each company’s contributions apply.  Go to upromise.com for details.

About Upromise
Launched in April 2001, today Upromise is the largest private source of college funding contributions in America . Membership is free and can help families save money for college while making everyday purchases of products and services at more than 21,000 grocery and drug stores, 14,000 gas stations, 8,000 restaurants, as well as thousands of retail stores, and more than 575 online shopping sites.  Upromise partners include Citi®, ExxonMobil Corporation, Bed Bath & Beyond, McDonald’s®, JCPenney.com, LandsEnd.com, Sears.com, and hundreds of others.  Upromise also makes it easy for families to start their own college savings strategy through tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans offered through Upromise Investments, Inc. or by using Upromise contributions to help pay down eligible student loans. Upromise is a wholly owned subsidiary of SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of saving-and-paying-for-college programs. Upromise is headquartered in Newton , Mass. , and has more than 350 employees.  For additional information visit www.Upromise.com.