LaKesha Page
Director of College Savings, TNStars College Savings 529 Program
State of Tennessee Treasury Department
December 22, 2014
While the holiday season adds to my already full to-do list, the festivities of the holiday are truly enhancements to my family’s busy lives filled with work, school, extra- curricular activities, club meetings, church and social affairs.
Betty Lochner
Chair of the College Savings Plans Network & Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program.
December 18, 2014<
The US Senate has passed the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act of 2014 after this same legislation recently advanced through the US House of Representatives ( see Wall Street Journal article). Now the legislation goes to the President for his approval and is expected to be signed into law before the end of 2014. If written into law, the changes become effective for investors in 2015.
ABLE is proposed federal legislation that would allow families and individuals to save through a Federal tax-advantaged account for future qualified expenses associated with the care of a person with a disability. Qualified expenses are those related to the individual’s disability, including health, education, housing, transportation, training, assistive technology, and personal support.
Eric Zarnikow
Executive Director, Illinois Student Assistance Commission
December 15, 2014
As we approach the holidays, probably the last thing anyone wants to think about is taxes. But since 529 plans have some significant tax advantages, it’s worth having the conversation—even at this busy time of year.
The holidays are fast approaching and the town is hustling and bustling with people frantically trying to find the best gifts and deals. With all the “this deal’s for you” noise, how can college savings plans across the country promote the idea of making a gift to a loved one’s college savings account?
Do all of our friends have college savings plans? Sadly, most don’t. Would the promise of a contribution incentivize a family to open an account? Maybe, maybe not. Is this what parents want and prefer? How can one incorporate the idea of making a child’s college dream a reality this holiday season? It’s not about the amount; it’s about taking action and setting an expectation while changing the mindset from “if” to “when I go to college…” Who wouldn’t want a child to have a bright future?
By Sandra Houston
Director of College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Program
December 1, 2014
My family and I have created special holiday traditions and memories that will last a lifetime. One of my favorite traditions is working on crafts with the children in the family. I still treasure the lopsided snowflakes, tissue paper wreaths and handmade gifts. Amidst the glitter, glue, crayons and giggles, wonderful memories were made. Although my nephew is now in graduate school, the Christmas ornament he made when he was seven years old is still proudly displayed on our Christmas tree each year –much to my nephew’s embarrassment.
By Ryan Betz
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Washington’s GET Program
Nov. 24, 2014
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| Ryan Betz, left, with his father. |
On May 9, 1998, I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. This was not a fluke, it was an intentional goal set by my parents the day I was born. Neither my mom nor my dad had the opportunity to pursue a degree.
My mom is a self-taught computer programmer who became independent at the age of 16 and worked full-time while finishing high school. My dad is the son of a farmer from Iowa who was captured while building runways in Japan during WWII. He was held as a prisoner of war for close to six years. Because my grandfather’s health was not the best after the war, my dad also worked through high school to support his family and when he graduated, college was not an option.
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| Betty Lochner, center, with CSPN Prepaid Co-chairs, Sheila Salehian, left, and Robin Lott, right, at the Prepaid conference. |
By Patricia Roberts
Managing Director
AllianceBernstein Investments
Nov. 17, 2014
I recently returned inspired in so many ways from the College Board 2014 Forum. I was particularly moved by the FirstGen Student Panel moderated by John Quiñones of ABC News. Like John, these amazing students were the first in their families to attend college. They spoke of their challenging and courageous journeys to and through higher education and the positive impact college is having on them and on those whose lives they touch. The combination of John’s own powerful story and theirs presented a valuable reminder of the vital role that education plays in opening doors and the many rewards that perseverance brings.
By Mary Anne Busse
Managing Director, Great Disclosure LLC
Nov. 11, 2014
With the celebration of Veterans Day this November 11, I think of the countless thousands who fought and died for our freedom – from the bloody battles of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War to the War on Terror today, one thing remains the same – the unwavering courage and strength of those who fought bravely and selflessly for the freedom of so many.
By Paul Curley, CFA
Director of College Savings Research, Strategic Insight
November 10, 2014
On November 14, the inaugural CSPN Prepaid Tuition Conference 2014 will be held at the Innevation Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leveraging the technology within the space, Live Stream of the event will also be available.