Upromise by Sallie Mae Awards Life-Saving Eighth Grader $10,000 for His College Savings on "Steve Harvey"

When a fellow classmate began choking in class, 13-year-old Travon Avery acted quickly to perform the Heimlich maneuver and save his friend’s life. In recognition, today the Aurora, Ill., resident appeared on the hit daytime show “Steve Harvey,” where he was honored as a Harvey’s Hero and awarded $10,000 for college from Upromise by Sallie Mae.

“I never expected to be named one of ‘Harvey’s Heroes’ and get $10,000 for college,” said Avery. “I haven’t decided what type of job I want when I’m older, but I do know how important going to college is and I feel blessed that Upromise by Sallie Mae will help make it possible.”

Just one week later, Avery was a hero at school again. When a teacher passed out in class, he rushed to her assistance and called the nurse’s office for an ambulance.

“Travon’s story is inspirational and we hope $10,000 for his college education will help him maximize his full potential,” said John Ward, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “Sallie Mae’s Upromise college savings program helps families across the country save for their heroes each and every day. It’s our goal to inspire more and more families – like Travon’s -- to join other Upromise members who have already earned more than $750 million to help them pursue their education dreams.”

With the cost of education rising each year, Upromise by Sallie Mae helps families boost their savings while they make everyday purchases. Whether saving for your child's college education, paying for a child now in school, or repaying student loans, Upromise by Sallie Mae enables American 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.

Sallie Mae (NASDAQ: 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.