About SAGE Scholars, Inc.
We bring students & colleges together!
SAGE Scholars is proud to be the nation’s oldest and largest private college preparation and funding organization. Our goal is to bridge the gap between students who want an affordable private college education with colleges that will guarantee tuition discounts for member families - all at no cost to the student, family or college. Through our Tuition Rewards program, SAGE Scholars has been helping families secure the best possible private college education for over a quarter of a century.
Our Story
SAGE Scholars was formed in 1995 with the purpose of promoting the values and affordability of private higher education. SAGE Scholars was started by visionary leaders with higher education experience including the former head of admissions and financial aid at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Through SAGE Scholars’ unique Tuition Rewards Program, the company brings together families, colleges & universities, and benefit providers to create college funding solutions.
Dr. Johnston, founder and architect of SAGE Scholars, asked, “How can we reward families for saving for college?” His solution: Tuition Rewards.
The idea was that families could, by conscientiously saving, planning and preparing for college, accumulate Tuition Rewards Points redeemable for guaranteed minimum discounts off the “sticker price” of tuition at a group of private colleges seeking qualified students. For families and participating colleges, SAGE Scholars was a “win-win”: Families could earn guaranteed, non-need based discounts off full tuition of up to 25%, and colleges could recruit quality students.
It took six years to assemble a core group of colleges; in 2001, when 100 private colleges and universities joined the consortium, SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards was launched. Today, over 445 SAGE Scholars Member Colleges & Universities from Maine to Hawaii use Tuition Rewards. And, those students are good — SAGE Scholars good!
The SAGE Scholars Team
James B. Johnston, Ed.D.
Founder & President
Dr. Johnston is the founder and architect of SAGE Scholars, Inc. A visionary leader in the field of higher education, he works closely with the leaders of private collegiate institutions to make their values-oriented educational programs more available and more affordable to families and their children. He developed Tuition Rewards, a college savings plan, in partnership with member institutions and benefit providers.
Dr. Johnston began his career in education as a professor in the Business Department at Spring Garden College, becoming the first Dean of their Business Management Division. Subsequently, he became Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he served for four years. In 1976, he founded Educational Advisory Services, International, an educational consulting firm, the predecessor to SAGE Scholars. During this time, he served as Secretary of the Fund for Pennsylvania’s State Commission of Higher Education.
Dr. Johnston received his B.A. in Political Science from Bucknell University, his M.B.A. and Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. He serves on several boards of philanthropic and educational institutions. He chaired the first of two national conferences on 529 plans.
In 2020, the University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Pam Grossman, dean of the Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) and George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education, awarded James B. Johnston (MBA ‘66, Ed.D ‘76) the “Penn GSE Educator of the Year” honor. The Award “recognizes an outstanding graduate of the University, preferably of the Graduate School of Education, who demonstrates unusual involvement in and commitment to identifying and helping to resolve school problems and current issues in education.”
Michael Hall
CEO
Michael Hall is the CEO of SAGE Scholars. He is also an expert in the realm of higher educational tax credits. Michael received his Master’s in Taxation from Villanova Law School and his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Temple University.
AJ Healy
Director of Corporate Marketing
AJ Healy is the Director of Corporate Marketing for SAGE Scholars. In this role, AJ acts as the main point of contact for new business deals and has introduced the SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards program to several top-tier companies, which have successfully rolled it out to hundreds of thousands of their customers. AJ received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Richmond.
Steve Logan
Chief Technology Officer
Steve Logan is the Chief Technology Officer for SAGE Scholars. In this position, Steve is in charge of SAGE’s strategy for using technological resources in an efficient and secure manner. Steve also leads a growing team of software developers, and is also responible for Information Security, partner integrations, IT planning, procurement and deployment.
Prior to joining SAGE Scholars, Steve was involved in a Philadelphia based technology company for thirteen years. In 1996, Steve was instrumental in taking this company to new levels by starting one of the earliest independently owned Internet Service Providers in the Philadelphia region.
Over the past several years, Steve played a key role in directing the company to new markets and helping the company to grow by bringing new and exciting ideas to SAGE Scholars. Steve has over thirty years experience in the technology, Internet, database and programming sectors. Steve joined the SAGE Scholars team in 2001.
Aimee Royles
Creative Director
Aimee Royles is the Creative Director for SAGE Scholars and a dedicated advocate for accessible higher education. In her role, she leads the development of brand standards and oversees the marketing and creative strategies for SAGE Scholars’ products and services.
Aimee joined SAGE Scholars in 2016 during a period of rapid growth and led the rebranding of SAGE Scholars and its Tuition Rewards program. She has been instrumental in the launch of numerous initiatives, including FastTrak, an innovative direct admissions program; SAGE Prime, a continuing education benefit; Ready Set College, a comprehensive college search and career planning platform; the expansion of the educational newsletter Market Cap & Gown; the creation of the SAGE Scholars Newsroom, and the establishment of the SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation.
Aimee holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the State University of New York at Potsdam.
Mark Thompson
College Relations Manager
Mark Thompson serves as the College Relations Manager for SAGE Scholars. In this role, he works closely with private colleges and universities to introduce the unique benefits of the SAGE Scholars College Consortium and encourage institutions to join a national network committed to making private higher education more affordable and accessible for students and their families.
Mark brings extensive higher education experience to the SAGE Scholars team, having served as both a Director and a Dean of Admissions at SAGE Scholars member institutions in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He has also contributed to the organization as a member of the SAGE Scholars Advisory Council, offering insight and guidance on enrollment and recruitment strategies.
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Mark understands firsthand how SAGE Scholars supports colleges in connecting with motivated, college-ready students and families planning for the cost of higher education. In his role, he has helped bring several dozen colleges and universities into the SAGE Scholars Consortium. A strong believer in the SAGE Scholars mission, Mark and his family are active participants in the program; his twin daughter and son are currently enrolled as first-year students at SAGE Scholars member campuses in Indiana and Iowa.
To stay up to date on SAGE Scholars news and higher education insights, connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
John Varady
Senior Developer
John Varady is the Senior Developer at SAGE Scholars and brings decades of experience developing secure applications and databases to our team. John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering Technology from the now defunct Spring Garden College in Philadelphia. Over the years, John has worked in many industries developing world class software. He has developed on-line stores for large eCommerce brands, worked on clinical trial and drug sample tracking applications for the pharmacuetical industry, and poineered development of order entry and delivery applications for the then emerging hand-held market.
Ian Highsmith
Senior Account Manager
Ian Highsmith serves as a Senior Account Manager at SAGE Scholars, where he leads relationship management and program support for partner institutions. Since joining the organization in 2018, Ian has worked to optimize communication, enhance database engagement, and ensure the successful implementation of SAGE Scholars programs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from West Virginia University and coding credentials from Launch Academy.
In his role, Ian partners closely with member colleges and universities to understand their goals, provide strategic guidance, and deliver customized solutions that strengthen student recruitment and outreach efforts. He collaborates across internal teams to streamline processes, improve partner experiences, and support the continuous growth of SAGE Scholars programs.
He is based in Philadelphia and remains committed to fostering strong partnerships and delivering meaningful value to the institutions SAGE Scholars serves.
Nathan Bird
Office Manager
Nathan Bird is the Office Manager at SAGE Scholars. In this role, he maintains office services. Nathan is also our customer service representative. He supports customers by providing helpful information and answering questions. Nathan is integral in helping to ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features. Nate earned his Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Montgomery County Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communication from Chestnut Hill College.
