RESTON, Va., Aug. 12, 2009—Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading saving, planning and paying for education company, invites the public to vote and decide which of 10 finalists in its Saving for College video contest will win up to $5,000 for education.

A national study from Sallie Mae and Gallup found that nine out of 10 parents of children under 18 say it is likely their children will pursue higher education; however, four out of 10 have not started saving. Sallie Mae’s video contest is designed to raise awareness of the importance of saving to make the investment in education.

From storytelling and toy animation to stunt acting and cookie dough, the 10 finalist videos feature humorous and meaningful tips for saving for college. The public is invited to help choose the grand prize winner by voting up to once per day between today and Aug. 25 at www.SallieMae.com/savecontest. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize for his or her college fund, and the runner-up will receive a $1,000 cash prize. The remaining eight finalists will each receive $250. Winners will be announced in early September during National College Savings Month.

Finalists, listed below, were selected from a field of 300 valid entries. The 30-second videos were evaluated based on quality, creativity and fit to theme.

• Jeremy Baker of Vero Beach, Fla., with “A Family Affair.”
• Michael Banta of Buena Park, Calif., with “Saving for College 101.”
• Brian Billand, on behalf of his family, of Carmel, Ind., with “Saving Tips.”
• Toby Cashion of Four Oaks, N.C., with “Earth Saves.”
• J. Kieran Garvey of Doylestown, Pa., with “$ave For College.”
• Jeffrey Loveness of Montgomery Creek, Calif., with “Save Money.”
• Ethan Malavolti of Peoria, Ill., with “Just A Day In My Life.”
• Eleanor Michalka of Ennis, Texas, with “Saving Dough.”
• Louie Rodriguez of Laredo, Texas, with “Saving Made Easy! In 30 Sec.”
• Amanda Thompson of Cohasset, Mass., with “Econopalooza!”

To help families develop a saving-for-college plan—based on their children’s age and the type of college they may be likely to attend—Sallie Mae offers its free Education Investment Planner available at www.SallieMae.com/invest. In addition, Upromise by Sallie Mae enables families to save money for college while making eligible purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing and college dorm essentials.

To vote or learn more about Sallie Mae’s Saving for College video contest, visit www.SallieMae.com/savecontest.

For more information contact:
Erica Eriksdotter (703) 984-5628