LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Under a new partnership announced on Tuesday, the state says that “Michigan families can leverage their everyday purchases into college savings for their children and grandchildren similar to earning cash back for gas or groceries.”

The partnership is between the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) and Upromise, a leading consumer brand, and it offers a free rewards program designed to help families save for college.

MORE NEWS: Former High School Soccer Ref Faces Assault Charges After Alleged Scuffle with Teen Player

These rewards, offered through Upromise, are for those who have the MESP state-sponsored tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan.

Diane Brewer, Michigan Education Trust Executive Director, has an office within the Michigan Department of Treasury and oversees MESP. She said that MESP provides families the ability to invest and grow their savings not only over the long term but also in a more tax-favorable manner and adds that “Upromise augments that savings by offering a simple, free and almost effortless dividend for a child’s future educational needs…Any time you eat out, buy groceries, fill your gas tank or make just about any routine purchase, Upromise will add to your college savings plan at no additional cost to you.”

The Upromise 529 program is being used all across the country and is now in Michigan. The Upromise website says that the program is a “free service that helps families save for college with cash back rewards from everyday activities such as online shopping, dining, grocery shopping, purchasing gift cards and more. Rewards are automatically deposited as contributions to your MESP account when you reach $50 in rewards.”

Their website also lists how consumers can earn rewards including using an Upromise Mastercard and earning cash back rewards on purchases when linked to an eligible College Savings Plan; online shopping through their online shopping mall from hundreds of online retailers; and cash-back rewards when dining at one of 10,000 participating restaurants nationwide.