NEWTON, Mass., October 27, 2009 - Upromise Investments, Inc., the leading administrator of 529 college savings plans, today announced its website www.529.com was awarded the 2009 WebAward for Financial Services Standard of Excellence and Investment Standard of Excellence by the Web Marketing Association.

529.com uses interactive online tools to offer guidance about how 529 plans are managed, how they can be accessed, and how different kinds of investors – from parents to grandparents to financial advisors – can make the most out of saving for college. The site features essential elements for:

• Families: Interactive quizzes; questions and answers about 529 plans; and a map that provides information on Upromise Investments-administered 529 plans with links to resources for every state’s 529 savings plan.
• Guidance Counselors: A section devoted to helping counselors pass along information to students and their families.
• Employers: First steps toward adding 529 plans as a benefit in the workplace.
• Financial Advisors: Information about tools and data that can help guide decisions about investing on behalf of clients.

“A key component of saving for college is educating families early on about the power of saving, even if they can only contribute little by little over time,” said Liz Robinson, Vice President of Upromise Investments. “We continue to focus on providing simple tools to help families learn more about 529 plans and make informed decisions about how to plan financially for higher education. We are thrilled that 529.com is making an impact on that front.”

More than 2,000 sites from 45 countries were judged in 96 industry categories during this year's competition. Now in its 13^th year, the Web Marketing Association’s annual WebAward Competition has been setting the standard of excellence for website development. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology. The WebAward Competition is the premier award recognition program for web developers and marketers.

For more information, please visit www.529.com, an informational site created by Sallie Mae affiliate Upromise Investments, the largest administrator of college savings plans in America.

When you invest in a 529 college savings plan you are purchasing municipal securities whose value will vary with market conditions. Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in a 529 college savings plan. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in a 529 college savings plan's offering statement; read and consider it carefully before investing.

About Upromise Investments, Inc.

Upromise Investments is the leading administrator of 529 college savings plans. As of September 30, 2009, the company provided program management and administration services to more than 1.8 million accounts with over $21.4 billion in assets across direct, advisor, and prepaid savings plans sponsored by 11 states. Upromise Investments, Inc., is a registered broker-dealer, member of FINRA, and is registered with the MSRB.

About the Web Marketing Association

The Web Marketing Association works to create a high standard of excellence for website development and marketing on the Internet. Staffed by volunteers, it is made up of Internet marketing, advertising, PR, and design professionals who share an interest in improving the quality of Website development and marketing on the Internet. Since 1997, the Web Marketing Association's annual WebAward Competition has been helping interactive professionals promote themselves, their companies, and their best work to the outside world. Now in its 13th year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.

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