Three Exceptional Teens Awarded $5,000 for College from Sallie Mae's Upromise on "The Jeff Probst Sh

Three Exceptional Teens Awarded $5,000 for College from Sallie Mae's Upromise on "The Jeff Probst Show"

Will Help Each Pursue Their College Education and Maximum Potential

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sallie Mae, the nation's No. 1 financial services company specializing in education, awarded three remarkable teens with a $5,000 contribution to each of their college savings accounts on today's "The Jeff Probst Show." Teenagers Leanna Archer, Alanna Wall and Aaron Geer, were featured on the nationally-syndicated talk show for their extraordinary devotion to helping and inspiring others and received the gifts through Sallie Mae's Upromise college savings rewards program.

A year ago, Alanna Wall, a 12-year-old resident of Dayton, Ohio, started Polished Girlz to give manicures to patients with special needs. Today, nearly 100 youth volunteers across the country visit hospitals, Down Syndrome associations, and children's medical centers to offer nail treatments. In addition, volunteers teach girls about how hand washing can reduce the spread of infection.

"I can't express how grateful I am to Upromise," said Alanna Wall. "My dream is to attend Princeton University, then attend Ohio State University where I will study to be a zoo veterinarian. My nonprofit allows me to care for people, and now Upromise will help me care for animals by helping me afford school."

At just 9 years old, Leanna Archer of Central Islip, N.Y., started her own hair product line with her great grandmother's secret hair recipes. In 2008, the now 16-year-old entrepreneur began the Leanna Archer Education Foundation to provide meals, education and better opportunities for underprivileged children in Haiti. Additionally, Archer is a motivational speaker inspiring teens nationwide.

With a quest to encourage people to take the initiative to make their own dreams come true, aspiring actor and talk show host Aaron Geer, 19, of Shelby Township, Mich., created his Follow Your Dreams video. In Geer's video on his YouTube channel, he talks directly to teens to encourage taking action to pursue their goals and maximize their potential.

"As teenagers, Leanna, Alanna and Aaron already have inspired and given back to others," said John Ward, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. "With a college education these natural-born leaders will gain critical knowledge that can help amplify their amazing successes at such young ages."

With the cost of education rising each year, Upromise by Sallie Mae helps families boost their savings. Whether saving for a child's college education, paying for a child now in school, or repaying student loans, Upromise by Sallie Mae enables families to earn cash back for college through everyday purchases. Free to join, members can earn cash for college by shopping online at hundreds of major retailers, dining out, buying gas or using the Upromise credit card.

"The Jeff Probst Show" airs weekdays. Check local listings for stations and times or visit jeffprobst.com. The show is produced and distributed by CBS Television Distribution. Jeff Probst is host and executive producer; Amy Coleman is executive producer.

Sallie Mae (NAS: SLM) is the nation's No. 1 financial services company specializing in education. Celebrating 40 years of making a difference, Sallie Mae continues to turn education dreams into reality for American families, today serving 25 million customers. With products and services that include 529 college savings plans, Upromise rewards, scholarship search and planning tools, education loans, insurance, and online banking, Sallie Mae offers solutions that help families save, plan, and pay for college. Sallie Mae also provides financial services to hundreds of college campuses as well as to federal and state governments. Learn more at SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

Upromise
Debby Hohler, 617-454-6741
dhohler@Upromise.com

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