Westminster College Becomes 1st Utah Member of Tuition Rewards College Consortium

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) April 16, 2010 -- Westminster College has become the first Utah member of the Tuition Rewards private college & university enrollment marketing consortium, expanding the SAGE Scholars-sponsored savings program to nearly 250 participating colleges in 40 states.

Recognized nationally for its unique learning environment, its exceptional liberal arts programs and single-minded focus on student learning, Westminster (Salt Lake City, UT) is also known for its vibrant community and its track record of student success.

Westminster's unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, enriches the college experience. More than 40 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team athletes are enrolled at Westminster; 14 students competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Strongly committed to athletics, Westminster has introduced five new sports programs over the past five years.

Enrolling approximately 2,200 undergraduates and 800 graduate students, Westminster offers 38 undergraduate majors and 12 graduate programs. From business to aviation operations to theatre performance, Westminster provides students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Some of Westminster's distinctive programs include "Winter at Westminster" - a unique exchange that allows students to visit for a semester to experience Utah's winter wonderland; the McNair Scholars program, an elite national graduate school preparation program for low-income, first generation and underrepresented students; and, Westminster Scholars, a problem-based curriculum.

49 colleges have joined Tuition Rewards since March 2008. Other recent members include the University of San Diego, Susquehanna University, North Central College and Concordia University Chicago.

"There's no downside for a college to join. 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."

172,000+ students are now enrolled in Tuition Rewards, which fosters a dynamic relationship among families, financial institutions and member colleges. Families earn Tuition Reward Points, similar to frequent flyer miles, by saving for college with a variety of financial partners, including the Pennsylvania & Wisconsin state 529 college savings programs, The College Tuition Benefit, banks, credit unions and national marketing organizations.

When registered students attend a participating private college, the family's accumulated Tuition Reward points are redeemed as a "scholarship" - a non-need based grant or discount - capped at one full year's tuition spread over four years. Participating colleges are able to market to students in the database once they reach 9th grade.

About SAGE Scholars:

Founded in 1995, SAGE Scholars promotes private higher education and its member colleges to the 170,000+ 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 nation's largest private college savings program based on participating students and value of eligible assets. For more information, contact Dr. James B. Johnston,

215-564-9930.

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