Author Archives

  • And That’s a Wrap to College Savings Month!

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    By Betty Lochner
    Chair of the College Savings Plans Network and director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
    September 25, 2014
    Charlie Davenport

    Well it’s been another eventful and all-together successful College Savings Month!

    In case you missed it, throughout the month of September, eight-year-old CSPN correspondent Charlie Davenport was busy investigating the inner-workings of the 529 world in a four-part series titled “College Savings Uncovered.” 

  • College Savings Discussed During NAST Annual Conference

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    By Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer
    September 23, 2014

    Grand Hotel - ariel viewwebFrom September 6-10, the NAST* Annual Conference was held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was my first visit there and I know exactly why they call it the Grand Hotel. It is massive, impressive and unique. The weather was spectacular while we were there. Even though it may be a bit difficult to travel to the island, the entire experience is well worth the effort.

  • Americans Continue to Show Their Resolve to Save for College

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    By: Betty Lochner
    Chair of the College Savings Plans Network & Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program
    Sept. 9, 2014

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    Education is the key to unlocking the door to opportunity. Throughout the past several years, new research continues to provide supportive evidence that a college degree not only increases the economic earning power of both individuals and our national economy, but it is also proven to contribute to improved health, homeownership, voting rates, community volunteerism and other social benefits.  While there is no doubt the cost of a college education has increased dramatically in the past two decades, Americans continue to display their growing value of a college degree by saving more of their hard-earned dollars for the future higher education expenses of their children.

  • Celebrate Grandparent’s Day, Sunday September 7th

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    By: Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
    State Treasurer, State of Iowa
    September 5, 2014

    Treasurer FitzgeraldAs a grandparent there are few things that give me as much joy as watching my grandson, Michael, learn and discover new things. Whether we are visiting a petting zoo, reading a book or simply playing with items around the house, the amazement in his eyes at each new discovery is truly fascinating. As he continues to grow, I hope that he continues to be intrigued and amazed by each new thing he learns. As a grandparent, I want to help prepare him for any future higher-education costs he may encounter on his journey of discovery. That is why I make contributions to my College Savings Iowa 529 plan for Michael.

  • It’s College Savings Month!

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    By Cassandra Sherrill
    Marketing Coordinator, Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan
    September 2, 2014
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    Time to kick-off your shoes, pop open a cool drink and enjoy the last days of that summer fun in the sun! That’s right – it is Labor Day! This landmark weekend not only marks back-to-school season but also the beginning of College Savings Month.

  • Don’t Let Scholarship Prospects Derail 529 Savings

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    By Lisa Groen
    Senior Writer, Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP)
    August 28, 2014

    Andres, a junior at University of Nebraska Omaha, played soccer from the time he could walk, eventually earning his way onto a soccer club’s premier team. His father shuttled him to and from games around their home state of Utah, and to summer tournaments in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada.

  • Tips for Surviving the First Year of College

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    By Ryan Betz
    Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
    Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
    Aug. 18, 2014

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    Right now, thousands of recent high school graduates across our state are gearing up to leave for college in just a few short weeks. The questions that come with leaving for college can be a bit unnerving so I thought I would share some advice and tips for surviving the first year and making the most of your time on campus.

  • Sleep Better When You Have a Plan

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    By Bonnie Carroll
    Marketing Director, Education Trust of Alaska
    August 11, 2014

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    What would you do if your newborn tried to make this deal with you? Would you be able to find the time and funds to open a college savings account? I’m pretty sure even the most cash poor, sleep deprived parent would manage to open a 529 account if it meant a good night’s sleep.  Many parents post pone saving because they feel they can’t find the time and they don’t have the funds.  But the truth is, it doesn’t take much of either to get started and infancy is the best time to begin.

  • Reaping the Rewards of Saving in a 529 Plan

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    By Joan Marshall
    Executive Director, College Savings Plans of Maryland

    August 4, 2014

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    In running two 529 plans for our state, this time of year is always busy, yet rewarding, as we help thousands of account holders pay for qualified expenses on their beneficiaries’ college bills for the fall semester. In our office, we directly manage our 529 prepaid tuition program, so I really enjoy seeing the checks that we produce on a daily basis for thousands of students who are getting ready for college life in Maryland or across the country, many of them for the first time.

  • How do You Decide When to Use the Money in Your 529 Plan?

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    This spring, we talked to hundreds of college-bound seniors and their families about getting ready to pay for college.  So many families have found that they didn’t receive as much financial aid as they had been hoping for, and many are now wishing that they had started saving sooner and saved more.  And many of those families who do have savings set aside are uncertain about how and when to use their savings for college costs.