DALLAS -- An online coupon program pays big when it comes to money for college.

In fact, one couple says the program will soon go towards their soon-to-be-born child's education. But for now, it's been paying off on a college loan.

Ray and Adela Tsai walk the grocery aisles armed with a secret weapon, electronic coupons with a twist.

Before they left for the store, the Tsai's browsed the latest online deals from UPromise, which is a company that deposits a small amount of money into a college savings account when you make certain purchases.

"We don't always remember to cut coupons from the newspaper, but this way these are things we probably would buy anyway," said Mr. Tsai. "We just click online and go to the store. We buy and the money goes into the account."

The virtual coupons average about $30 worth of savings a month. They're automatically loaded onto the Tsai's grocery store loyalty card. Once they go to the store, they just follow the list to pick up the product.

While the couple is expecting a baby and plan to use the program for the child's education, they have currently been using UPromise money to pay off Ray's college loans.

"I've saved almost $1,500 just in three years of using UPromise," Mr. Tsai said.

E-mail dschechter@wfaa.com