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.