Launched in April 2001, Upromise was created to help make a college education more attainable. By joining forces with many of America's leading companies, Upromise provides a free service that rewards members with college savings on everyday spending.

Upromise has built a simple way to help families learn more about their savings options, open investment accounts, and jumpstart their savings. The mission of Upromise is to make college more affordable for American families.

The College Savings Crisis in America

The cost of college continues to rise exponentially, far outpacing inflation. Understandably, many families are overwhelmed by the costs and what they would need to save for a child’s college education. Furthermore—according to the Upromise College Preparedness Report Card of U.S. parents and teens conducted by Ipsos on behalf Upromise—most U.S. parents and teens are largely misinformed about education’s true costs, overestimating anticipated annual college tuition and fees.  This exaggerated perception of costs may be contributing to a level of paralysis in parents who report they are either not aware of, or not utilizing, available financial planning options.

Some families even consider dipping into their retirement savings or deferring their own retirements to help fund educational expenses.  Meanwhile, the average student graduates with more than $20,000 in debt.

The Solution: You, Upromise and America's Leading Companies.

The Upromise Service
Upromise is a free service that helps members save for college by earning 1-25% on qualified every-day spending with America's leading companies nationwide.  Upromise partners such as Bed Bath & Beyond, ExxonMobil Corporation, McDonald's®, JCPenney.com, LandsEnd.com, Sears.com and hundreds of others are committed to helping Upromise members achieve a college education. Members earn money for college when dining at 8,000 restaurants, buying groceries at more than 21,000 stores, shopping online with more than 600 retailers, booking travel, moving and much more.  To date, more than 9.5 million people have enrolled in Upromise, allowing them to chip away at the challenge of saving for college and even paying down student loans.  Members can also invite family and friends to join Upromise to accelerate their college savings.

Upromise Investments, Inc.
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. (UII).  Upromise Investments is a registered broker-dealer and member of SIPC.  Registered with FINRA, the company provides 529 plan management and marketing services to state partners and families saving for college.  Its services include program management and administration to over one million accounts with $19 billion in assets across direct, advisor and prepaid 529 plans sponsored by 11 states.

When members link their Upromise account to a participating 529 plan, their Upromise savings are transferred automatically into their 529 plan.

The Upromise History

Upromise was founded by Michael Bronner, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Digitas, a leading marketing services firm. Bronner's interest in making college more affordable for families came from his own experience as a middle income, financial aid student. During his sophomore year, Bronner paid for much of his tuition by launching his first business - a couponing service for campus merchants.

In August 2006, SLM Corporation (NYSE: SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae and the nation's leading paying-for-college company, acquired Upromise, Inc.  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 loans.

Upromise, based in Newton, MA, has more than 350 employees. For more information, visit www.upromise.com.