April 2013

Monthly Archives

  • CSPN Helps Families and Friends Give the Gift of College Education

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    By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
    State Treasurer, State of Iowa
    April 30, 2013

    Whether they are graduating from kindergarten, elementary school or high school, there is no better way to celebrate a child’s education than with a contribution to their 529 Plan college savings account. This graduation season, in order to encourage families and friends to give the gift of higher education, the College Savings Plans Network has compiled information and tips for people looking to give the gift of education.

  • Should you use life insurance to save for college?

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    10 Important Questions to Ask Before you Decide<
    By Joan Marshall,
    Executive Director, College Savings Plans of Maryland
    April 23, 2013

    For those of us who manage 529 college savings plans, this is a question that we hear from time to time – primarily when families see an ad (usually on TV) that promotes life insurance as a way to save for college.

    In Maryland, we have responded to this question by creating a chart that compares our 529 prepaid tuition plan and our 529 savings plan with one of the popular life insurance products.

  • 529 Plan Uses – Part II

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    By Mary Anne Busse
    Managing Director, Great Disclosure LLC
    April 15, 2013

    In an earlier post, we talked generally about uses for your 529 Plan account. In this post, we’ll break down what is included in room and board expenses. First, a refresher:

    If you use the funds in your 529 Plan account for Qualified Higher Education Expenses (as defined in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code), you will not be taxed on any of the income earned on your account. According to Section 529, Qualified Higher Education Expenses include, among other things, expenses for room and board incurred by students who are enrolled at least half-time.

  • The Final Four is now set!

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    By Mitch Seabaugh, Director, Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan (P2C)
    April 5, 2013

    How have you faired with your bracket? Many probably had Louisville in their Final Four. Maybe Michigan or Syracuse too. But, what about Wichita State? How many people, when they sat down and looked at the 68 teams, actually had Wichita State advancing to the Final Four? They were a ninth seed in the West Region and finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference. Guaranteed, the players and staff at Wichita State did!