Illinois Institute of Technology Joins Tuition Rewards Enrollment Marketing Consortium
Illinois Institute of Technology (Chcago, IL) has joined Tuition Rewards, a nationwide consortium of 232 private colleges & universities that rewards families for saving for higher education with points that can be used to reduce tuition costs. IIT is the 32nd college to join Tuition Rewards in the past 14 months. 145,000+ students are enrolled in the SAGE Scholars-sponsored program, which helps private colleges recruit students.
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) May 14, 2009
Illinois Institute of Technology, a Ph. D.-granting university with superb programs in architecture, engineering, psychology, the sciences and the humanities, is the newest member of the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards program.
With an 8:1 student/faculty ratio, IIT is committed to providing a distinctive and relevant education through hands-on learning and undergraduate research opportunities. 24% of classes have fewer than 10 students; 90% have fewer than 40 students. Classes are taught by senior faculty -- not teaching assistants -- who foster a culture of innovation with their own first-hand research experience.
Students are immersed in IIT's interdisciplinary approach to learning through the team-based, creative problem-solving experience of the Interprofessional Projects Program (IPROs). In spring 2009, students completed over 50 projects, including IPRO 340: Improving Health Care Information Systems in a Community Health Services Network and IPRO team 351: Custom Clothing: E-Tailoring that Delivers Customer Value.
The world-class city of Chicago enables priceless student access to internships and employment. IIT's Office of Undergraduate Research provides mentored collaborative research experiences. The entrepreneurship program challenges students to develop start-up technology companies. University Technology Park at IIT, a business incubator located on campus, supports this challenge by providing numerous opportunities to work with companies at every stage of growth, from conception to sophistication.
IIT's diverse student population mirrors the global work environment; 97% of students receive financial aid. In addition to the undergraduate, graduate and Ph. D. programs on main campus, IIT also includes Chicago-Kent School of Law, Institute of Design, Stuart School of Business and the Center for Professional Development. IIT competes in the NCAA Division 1 Chicagoland Athletic Conference.
IIT is the 8th colleges to join Tuition Rewards in 2009, along with Chaminade University of Honolulu, Eastern Mennonite University (VA), Lycoming College (PA), Nebraska Wesleyan University, Ohio Northern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY) and Taylor University (IN). 32 colleges have joined in the past 14 months.
"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."
145,000+ students are now enrolled in Tuition Rewards, which fosters a dynamic relationship among families, financial institutions and its 232 member colleges. 30,351 students joined in 2008, more than double the 2007 total (14,571).
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 (Itasca, IL), Interactive Financial Advisors (Oak Brook, IL), Monetta Funds (Wheaton, IL), Mutual of Omaha, SEFCU (NY) and The College Tuition Benefit. Students submitted Reward points valued at $7.67 million to member colleges in 2008.
IIT is the 16th Illinois member of Tuition Rewards. The other Illinois members are DePaul University, Dominican University, Greenville College, Judson University, Lake Forest College, Lewis University, Lincoln College, McKendree University, Millikin University, Quincy University, Robert Morris College, Rockford College, St. Xavier University, Trinity Christian College and University of St. Francis.
As of today, 12,704 students residing in Illinois has are enrolled in Tuition Rewards.
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 private college savings program in the U. S. -- based on participating students and value of eligible assets. For more information, contact Robert Savett, 215-564-9930.
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