Get smart money answers through Sallie Mae’s chat thursday night, Jan. 27, 9-10 p.m. EST

RESTON, Va. - Saving for college and don’t know where to start? Looking to improve your credit score? Juggling multiple financial goals? Join Sallie Mae’s live chat to pose these and other questions to financial experts from the Financial Planning Association (FPA) on Thursday night, Jan. 27, from 9 to 10 p.m. EST.

The free chat, which is open to the public through Sallie Mae’s Facebook page, will feature two expert practitioners with a combined 30 years experience in helping people make smart money decisions. Ken Robinson, CFP, senior planner at the Monitor Group, Inc., in McLean, Va., is active in pro bono financial planning efforts and Junior Achievement financial literacy programs for local schools. Catherine Seeber, CFP, principal financial advisor for Wescott Financial Advisory Group, LLC in Philadelphia, leads area FPA members in their efforts to teach financial literacy in the community.

“The beginning of a new year is always a good time to re-examine financial goals,” says Marty Kurtz, CFP, AIFA, 2011 president of the nonprofit Financial Planning Association. “Whatever your life situation, this is a great opportunity to connect with financial planning experts who can provide relevant assistance and information.”

To participate in the chat on Thursday night or submit a question in advance, visit www.Facebook.com/SallieMae.

To learn more about Sallie Mae’s smart money tips for 2011, including resources to make completing the FAFSA financial aid application easier, visit www.SallieMae.com/SmartMoney2011. Sallie Mae also invites you to share your smart money tips—between now and Jan. 30—for a chance to win a Samsung 40-inch 3D TV through its Smart Money Tips Giveaway.

Note: Smart Money Tips giveaway requires no purchase. Void where prohibited. For a complete set of sweepstakes rules, visit www.SallieMae.com/SmartMoney2011.


Sallie Mae (NYSE: SLM) is the nation’s No. 1 financial services company specializing in education. Serving 23 million customers, Sallie Mae offers innovative savings tools, tuition payment plans and education loans that promote responsible financial habits and reward success. The company manages or services $235 billion in education loans and administers $35 billion in 529 college savings plans. Members of its Upromise college savings rewards program have earned $600 million to help pay for college. Sallie Mae is also one of the leading financial service providers for universities and governments at all levels. More information is available at www.SallieMae.com. Commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

Financial Planning Association (FPA) is the largest membership organization for personal financial planning experts in the U.S. and includes professionals from all backgrounds and business models. FPA helps connect thousands of consumers to competent and ethical planners who uphold the FPA Standard of Care. Members of FPA are those who commit to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve. To learn more about financial planning and resources that can help you improve your financial situation, visit FPA at http://www.fpanet.org/.