By Kathleen McGrath
Director, PA 529 College Savings Program
June 9, 2014
My “baby” just graduated from college. The last of three. It is bittersweet. Bitter in that she is all grown-up – I can’t deny it anymore. Sweet, in that there are no more college bills to pay!
By Robin Lott
Executive Director, Michigan Education Trust
June 2, 2014
Summer is finally here and it’s graduation time once again! Families are busy preparing to honor students and to celebrate many facets of milestone graduates. Pre-school children are being recognized for graduating to kindergarten. Elementary and middle school students are graduating to the next level and high school seniors are on their way to college. Many families are also thinking, “Wow, where did the time go?” Now is a good time to conduct a mid-year review of your college savings strategy. Gifts into your 529 prepaid or investment plan can further reduce future college debt.
By Ryan Betz
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Washington Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
May 19, 2014
I return from an incredible week in Orlando attending the National Association of State Treasurers’ Treasury Management Training Symposium totally inspired by the talented professionals that lead our industry in helping American families save for their children’s college education. This event reminded me of the magnitude of our responsibility and opportunity to have a life-changing impact on millions of families for generations to come.
By Joan Marshall, executive director, College Savings Plans of Maryland
April 4, 2014
I’m excited about a new bill that was introduced last week in the House of Representatives (HR 4333) because it is designed to help those who are currently investing in 529 plans and encourage even more families to save for college with these great tax-advantaged, convenient and affordable plans. The main enhancements this bill would provide for college savers include:
By Paul Paeglis Executive Director, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority March 31, 2014 According to a recent survey by the financial services firm Edward Jones, only 8% of respondents said they […]
By Betty Lochner, Chair, College Savings Plans Network March 11, 2014 Today, the College Savings Plans Network published its 2013 Year-End 529 Report, which features aggregated data from the 103 savings […]
By Sheila Salehian
Senior Deputy Treasurer, Office of
Nevada State Treasurer
Kate Marshall
March 3, 2014
Contributing to a prepaid tuition plan and a traditional 529 college savings plan simultaneously….really?
If you’re like most parents, the thought of paying for your children’s college education sends you to the mall shopping for gourmet chocolates or other ‘comfort food’. You’re not alone. According to a recent survey, only 50% of families with children under the age of 18 have actually started to save for their children’s higher education needs.* However, these families have realized that even if they cannot save for the entirety of their child’s college education cost, they are still better off borrowing less… essentially ‘paying themselves’ with tax free interest earnings when paying for qualified higher education expenses. Paying significantly more in the future for what you can’t afford to pay for today is a scary feeling.
January 28, 2014
Recently, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama issued a call to action, requesting colleges and universities, foundations, businesses, non-profits, government officials, other leaders and individuals to make commitments to help assure that college becomes a reality for more young people. The objective is to help an increased number of students afford college and graduate with the skills they need to succeed. The call to action along with some of the commitments made in response to it can be viewed here:
By: Betty Lochner, Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program & CSPN Chair
January 20, 2014
With the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday upon us, I have been thinking about what it means to be a passionate leader and what an important role education plays in influencing our growth as individuals and a society. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
By Robin Lott
Executive Director for Michigan Education Trust
December 10, 2013
With Thanksgiving now a new memory, we are now smack in the middle of the holiday season. While you are busy decking the halls with bows and holly and searching for the perfect gift for the loved ones in your life consider this: why not give the gift of education? Higher education is a gift that keeps on giving and your state’s college savings program can help.
By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
State Treasurer, State of Iowa
While you are looking for the perfect gift on-line Cyber Monday, make sure you visit www.CollegeSavings.org to find the perfect 529 plan. Rather than fight the crowds in the mall to find a gift that will be forgotten by next year, give the gift of college savings that will last a lifetime. State-sponsored 529 plans provide investors the opportunity to save for a loved one’s higher education costs and get a tax benefit for themselves at the same time. With some plans having an initial investment as low as $25 to open an account, it makes the perfect gift for almost anyone to give.
Part II of a Two Part Series on 529 Prepaid Plans
By Sheila Salehian
Senior Deputy Treasurer for the State of Nevada
November 12, 2013
Last week, I shared a bit of my personal college savings story.The following lessons I’ve learned will hopefully help you firm up your college savings plans, understand more about 529 Prepaid Tuition programs, and avoid costly mistakes!