Saving for college
Sallie Mae recognizes the cost of a college education is a growing challenge for many students and families. Our simple, free Upromise Rewards program helps families turn everyday purchases into college savings. Upromise also administers a variety of national and state-based 529 plans that make saving for college achievable.
Members can invite friends and family to join and contribute their Upromise savings to a child's account to double or triple the potential college savings. Together, Sallie Mae and Upromise offer parents and students a comprehensive financial solution to access college — including a broad range of college savings vehicles, information, and paying-for-college options.
The early years
K-12 solutions
More and more families are choosing private schools for their children's primary and secondary education. That's why Sallie Mae offers the K-12 Family Education Loan, a private, credit-based loan that allows parents to cover the entire cost of their child's education, as well as education-related expenses such as books, computers, and uniforms.
Planning for college
College Answer
Sallie Mae is committed to helping potential college students understand the college process and consider all their options for higher education. Students, parents, and high school guidance counselors can find useful information, tools, and resources to help them through the college planning process with Sallie Mae’s College Answer website. Free scholarship searches, email newsletters, college planning seminars, and Sallie Mae’s How to Pay for College book all make navigating the college planning process simpler and less stressful.
CollegeAnswer.com offers:
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Scholarship search and database with
more than 2.9 million scholarships worth over
$16 billion, updated daily. - College planning tools and resources for high school guidance counselors and parents.
- Award analyzer to help students understand and compare their financial aid packages.
- Frequently updated resource with the most recent, relevant information and tools.
Voices
When Mary and Doug celebrated the birth of their first child, their plan was to set aside at least $50 per month for his college education.
“On one income, we found it to be harder than expected,” Mary said.
“However, in nearly five years, we have earned an average of about $70 a month in rewards through Upromise — an amount that actually exceeded our own goal for savings, without additional sacrifice!” In less than six years, they have accumulated nearly $7,000 through Upromise savings invested in two 529 plans.
Mary and Doug
Colorado Upromise super-savers and parents of two
Voices
“Students and their parents planning for college demand a comprehensive, objective and simple-to-use Internet site that guides them through the entire college planning process.
College Answer is an invaluable resource that meets this demand and provides important tools to help families plan and pay for college.”
Ronald W. Johnson Director of Financial Aid UCLA