Austin College Joins Tuition Rewards Consortium

Austin College (Sterling, TX) has joined Tuition Rewards, a nationwide consortium of 215 private colleges & universities from SAGE Scholars that rewards families for saving for higher education with points that can be used to reduce tuition costs. 124,950 Students Are Now Enrolled in Tuition Rewards.

Philadlephia, PA (PRWEB) September 11, 2008 -- Dr. James B. Johnston, Chairman & CEO of SAGE Scholars, Inc., a consortium of 215 private colleges and universities in 35 states, today announced that Austin College (Sherman, TX), nationally recognized for liberal arts leadership, has joined the Tuition Rewards enrollment marketing consortium. Austin College becomes the 5th Texas institution to join Tuition Rewards.

124,950 students are now enrolled in Tuition Rewards, which fosters a dynamic relationship among families, colleges and financial institutions. 22,000 students have already joined in 2008. When registered students attend one of the 215 participating private four-year colleges, the family's accumulated Tuition Reward points may be redeemed as a "scholarship" - a non-need based grant or discount -- of up to one full year's tuition.

Families earn Tuition Rewards by saving for college with a variety of financial partners, including the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin state 529 college savings programs and firms such as Allianz, Allstate, The College Tuition Benefit and Wells Fargo. Tuition Rewards is the largest U.S. private college savings program (based on participating students and the value of eligible assets).

Founded in 1849 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College is home to 1,370 undergraduates from 34 states and 28 countries. Austin College has been ranked # 1 in the nation twice in the last five years by the Institute of International Education for percentage of study abroad participation among baccalaureate institutions. More than 70 percent of students travel abroad at least once, exploring some 50 countries on six continents. The Jordan Family Language House on campus offers an immersive residential experience in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Austin College is one of only 270 schools in the nation with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. More than 35 percent of students declare an interest in health sciences; graduates enjoy an 80 percent acceptance rate into healthcare programs, with the highest numbers going to medical school.
Located on an attractive 70-acre campus north of Dallas/Fort Worth, the college is one of Loren Pope's 40 selections profiled in his acclaimed book, Colleges That Change Lives: "Austin College ... is doing the essential work of producing the enlightened, responsible, creative people with moral compasses who make democracy work."

A month-long January term lets students spend four weeks studying topics such as Agatha Christie On Screen; the Rock Art of Ancient Texans; Faces of Jesus; Wide Open Writing; Scuba Diving; and, Sleep and Dreams. Community service rounds out the experience.

About SAGE Scholars:
SAGE was founded in 1995 by Dr. James B. Johnston, former Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Wharton Graduate School, University of Pennsylvania. SAGE's Tuition Reward plan is now the largest private college savings program in the U.S. -- based on the number of participating students and the value of eligible assets.
For a complete list of member colleges: http://www.tuitionrewards.com/index.cfm?meat=schools

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