MADISON, Wis. -- After talking with detectives Tuesday, family members of a missing University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student said they have renewed hope that their loved one will be found alive.

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Kelly Nolan, 22, was separated from a group of friends in downtown Madison late Friday, June 22 and hasn't been seen since, authorities said.

Mary Jane Nolan, Kelly Nolan's mother, said that information from police shared with her Tuesday morning made her more optimistic. The family said it is also upbeat about what is described as a substantial reward fund for information that unlocks the mystery of Nolan's disappearance.

"I won't share (the information) at this time based on the advice it could put a slow down on the investigation or turn it to another direction," Mary Jane Nolan said.

Joel DeSpain, Madison police's public information specialist, said that Nolan's disappearance continues to be baffling. However, investigators said that new tips that they've received might fill some of the missing puzzle pieces, WISC-TV reported.

"We're being careful with our dissemination of information. We're giving the public what we think the public needs to know without jeopardizing the case," DeSpain said.

Nolan's family and friends have been putting up fliers since she was last seen. This past weekend, they distributed fliers in Warner Park and other locations. The family has posted a printable flier on Facebook.

A picture of the woman has also been placed on an electronic billboard on the Beltline, WISC-TV reported.

The Nolan family said on Tuesday that a reward fund is being set up to entice more information. But details of the reward and who donated the money are as mysterious as the disappearance.

"We know there is one more person who has the tip, and we have a substantial amount of money for you and any and all information leading to the return of Kelly," Mary Jane Nolan said.

Mary Jane Nolan said that until final details of the reward fund and conditions for release of the money are hammered out, she can't reveal more about it.

The Madison Police Department sent information about Nolan to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Friday, which will help distribute information about her disappearance.

DeSpain said that several days of investigating by all the Central District detectives should yield some solid information.

Nolan is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. Her sister said that on Saturday night, Kelly Nolan was wearing a green, sleeveless top with a scoop neck, a light pair of jeans, sandals with a heel and carrying the purse.

Nolan's family and police are continuing to urge people to phone in tips to Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

On Tuesday night, family and friends of Kelly Nolan gathered in her hometown to pray for her safe return.

Kelly Nolan's grandmother and other relatives organized the prayer service at their church in Waunakee, WISC-TV reported.

St. John The Baptist Catholic Church has been responding to many community questions about how to help, and the assistant pastor said that Tuesday's service did just that.

"It strengthens their spirits and it just gives them a real positive and visible sense of hope to see so many people they can see and touch and talk to. That's what the most important thing is," said Rev. Eric Sternburg, assistant pastor at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.