Sierra Nevada College Joins Tuition Rewards Enrollment Marketing Consortium

Sierra Nevada College (Incline Village, NV) has become the first Nevada member of Tuition Rewards, a nationwide consortium of 230+ private colleges & universities in 38 states that rewards families for saving for higher education with points that can be used to reduce tuition costs. SNC is the 34th college to join Tuition Rewards in the past 15 months. 145,000+ students are enrolled in the SAGE Scholars-sponsored program, which helps private colleges recruit students.

Philadelphia, PA (PRREB) June 24, 2009 -- Sierra Nevada College has become the first Nevada member of the Tuition Rewards private college & university enrollment marketing consortium. Expanding its presence to 38 states, Tuition Rewards now includes more than 230 participating colleges, with 35 schools joining in the past 15 months.

Ten colleges have joined Tuition Rewards in 2009.

"There's no downside for a college. It doesn't cost a college anything, and most will gain additional, well-qualified students," declared Dr. James B. Johnston, chairman and CEO of SAGE Scholars. "The short-term enrollment consequences of the current economic malaise demand creative and aggressive marketing strategies, and our Tuition Rewards Consortium is just that. An almost perfect storm of economic turmoil and unfavorable demographic trends make participation in the Tuition Rewards Consortium more important than ever."

Sierra Nevada College (Incline Village, NV), a four-year private liberal arts college with a unique entrepreneurial spirit throughout the curriculum, uses its spectacular mountain location, 35 miles from Reno, to the fullest. SNC offers more than 30 majors, minors and concentrations. A nearby alpine meadow or mountain peak provides the sort of hands-on experience students at other schools can only read about. The ski resort management, entertainment technology and entrepreneurship programs are distinctive. Sierra Nevada's new Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences (shared with UC-Davis) affords a unique opportunity.

SNC students are drawn by recreational as well as educational options. Students can choose from 10 skiing/snowboarding resorts within a 45-minute drive. With ski lodge-inspired architecture and dorms that would put some hotels to shame, the campus projects an inviting space in which students make friendships that last a lifetime. SNC also offers a Master of Arts degree in Teaching, a Master of Education in advanced teaching and leadership programs.

145,000+ students are now enrolled in Tuition Rewards, which fosters a dynamic relationship among families, financial institutions and its member colleges. 30,351 students joined in 2008, more than double the 2007 total (14,571). Member colleges may market to participating families once students reach the 9th grade. There is no charge for a college to participate.

When registered students attend a participating private college, the family's accumulated Tuition Reward points may be redeemed as a "scholarship" - a non-need based grant or discount - capped at one full year's tuition spread over four years. Families earn Tuition Rewards by saving for college with a variety of financial partners, including the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin state 529 college savings programs, First Midwest Bank, Mutual of Omaha, SEFCU (NY) and The College Tuition Benefit.

Participating students submitted Tuition Rewards valued at $7.67 million to member colleges in 2008.

About SAGE Scholars:

Founded in 1995, SAGE markets its member colleges to the 145,000+ enrolled students and their families via its website, email and a weekly e-newsletter. Member colleges may contact students once they reach 9th grade at no charge. Tuition Rewards is now the largest U.S. private college savings program -- based on participating students and value of eligible assets. For more information, contact Dr. James Johnston, CEO, 215-564-9930.

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