Sage Scholars

SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards is a nation-wide program that provides families and their students guaranteed minimum scholarships to over 400 private, accredited, four-year, not-for-profit colleges and universities from Alabama to Wisconsin. There are currently 30 member colleges in New York and 56 in Pennsylvania—with new schools added each year! Each Tuition Rewards Point is equivalent to one dollar in tuition discounts at participating institutions like:

Paul Smith’s College · Utica College · St. Lawrence University · Wells College · Clarkson University · Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Rochester Institute of Technology · Elmira College · Hartwick College · Gannon University · Marywood University · Alfred University

See the full list of schools at tuitionrewards.com.

Girls can earn 2,500 Points just by registering for the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards program AND renewing their annual Girl Scouts membership by June 30 each year! Adults who volunteer as troop leaders or as part of local Service Unit teams can earn 3,500 Points!

To get your Points:

1. Register one time on the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards site

2. Renew your Girl Scouts membership each year by June 30 and Points are automatically assigned—it’s that easy!

New GSNYPENN members qualify for the first 2,500-3,500 Points when they join (regardless of time of year) and earn additional Points when they renew during the Early Bird timeframe. Girls can no longer earn Points after August 31 of the year they begin 12th grade. Girls must have an account established with SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards before August 31st of the year students begin 12th grade.

Need further assistance?
SAGE Scholars Customer Support 1.888.222.0550 or support@sagescholars.com
GSNYPENN Customer Engagement 1.315.698.9400 or 1.800.943.4414 or info@gsnypenn.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards?

SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards is a nation-wide program that provides families and their students guaranteed minimum scholarships to over 400 private colleges and universities.

Participants earn Tuition Rewards Points. Each Point represents a guaranteed minimum discount equivalent to one dollar, with a maximum discount of up to one year’s tuition, spread equally over 4 years of full-time undergraduate education, beginning with freshman year. The number of Points earned determines the minimum institutional financial aid (i.e. scholarships and/or institutional grants) students can receive at any member college or university. Students may receive more financial aid than the Tuition Rewards Points represent but will not receive less.

*For example: If you redeem 30,000 Tuition Rewards Points for a student, your student will be guaranteed at least $30,000 in financial aid over four or five years.

How can you earn Tuition Rewards?

At Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, you can earn SAGE Tuition Rewards Points by:

Joining Girl Scouts as a girl member
Renewing girl membership by June 30 each year
Volunteering as a troop leader or service unit team member and renewing by June 30
Maintaining a lifetime membership
Being employed by GSNYPENN

You may be able to earn additional points by:

Saving or investing with the Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Plan
Saving or investing with a participating bank or credit union
Through over 80,000 employers through employer provided health care plans, voluntary benefits participation or Tuition Rewards on qualified retirement plans
Through employer provided health care plans
By purchasing cash value insurance through a participating organization
By working with an affiliated financial profession (individual or organization) who provides asset management, qualified product sales, annual financial reviews, seminars or workshops
Having a college funding plan created by an affiliated organization or individual

What are the program deadlines?

Students must be registered in the Tuition Rewards program prior to August 31st of the year that the student begins 12th grade
Students cannot earn or receive points after August 31st of the year that they begin 12^th grade
A student’s Tuition Rewards statement must be electronically submitted to any member college that the student applies to within ten (10) days of the student’s application to that college

How much does it cost to join?

Nothing, SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards is a free program for families and students

Why are so many colleges and universities joining the SAGE Scholars consortium?

Colleges and universities want to attract more students, or better students, or both. And, they're eager to attract qualified students who might not be familiar with their institution. Member colleges and universities understand that they need to remain affordable, and they're eager to reward families who are truly interested in attending their institution.

How much can I save off of my college tuition?

The maximum a school is obligated to accept is 25% of the cost of tuition (based on freshman year tuition), spread equally over the four years of undergraduate education. For example, if the "list price" of tuition for a school is $40,000 per year when your student matriculates, this means that your guaranteed minimum discount would be up to $10,000 per year (providing that you submitted at least 40,000 points to the school). It’s like getting one free year of school over four years’ time. One Tuition Rewards Point is equal to one dollar in guaranteed minimum tuition discounts.

Will my Tuition Rewards ever expire?

The Tuition Rewards in a sponsor’s account will never expire. Details for allocating unused Tuition Rewards Points can be found on the SAGE Scholars FAQ page.

Who can I sponsor in this program?

Children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews and other family members (including great grand relations, step, God, and adopted children) can be sponsored. You must be related or have a family relationship. One cannot sponsor students such as your neighbor’s or co-worker’s children.

Do I have to allocate Tuition Rewards to my students equally?

No, it is up to you to decide how you want to give your Tuition Rewards to the students you sponsor. We recommend that sponsors allocate Points to the oldest child first; if he or she doesn't attend a member college, transfer the Points to the next-oldest child in your family.

Is participation in Tuition Rewards a guarantee of admission into participating colleges?

No, each school’s normal admission standards still apply.

What if my student receives a merit scholarship? How will this affect the Tuition Rewards?

Tuition Rewards represent the minimum scholarship, spread evenly over four years, a participating student will receive if and when he/she attends a participating school. If your student receives a scholarship or other institutional aid from a member school, then the school can choose to "blend" (include) or "stack" (add on top) the Tuition Rewards with the other scholarship funds, grants or other discounts

Are Tuition Rewards applicable to fees, room, board, books, etc?

No, just tuition.

Are we able to use Tuition Rewards for graduate school, summer school, evening classes or part-time classes?

No, Tuition Rewards can only be used for full time, undergraduate education beginning with the freshmen year at a private college or university.

Can Tuition Rewards be used if my child transfers to a member college or university?

It is up to the school that the student is transferring to. While there is no obligation in doing so, most schools are willing to honor at least a portion of the Tuition Rewards.

Can I ever cash out my rewards account?

No, the Tuition Rewards are Points and are never be awarded in cash.

What happens if I sell my eligible investments?

You will stop accumulating Tuition Rewards Points, but the Points you have already earned will stay with you, unless the provider you earned your Tuition Rewards with stipulates otherwise.

If I join Tuition Rewards now, while my child is in 5th grade, and the college he/she wants to attend doesn't join Tuition Rewards until my child is in 12th grade, will I still receive my total reward, from 5th grade on?

Yes! That's the beauty of Tuition Rewards -- as more colleges join, Tuition Reward Points are applied to these schools, too -- and, you have more choices!

This sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?

There is no catch. Member colleges and universities are encouraged to recruit the students whom you sponsor once the student is in high school. Your students are likely to receive some print mail or e-mail from the participating colleges and universities after they begin high school.