Author Archives

  • Sleep Better When You Have a Plan

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

    sleep
    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

    collegemoney

    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.

  • Are You a 529 Newbie? 3 Free CSPN Resources to Help You Find the Right Plan

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    By Terry Crockett
    Marketing Analyst, Virginia529 College Savings Plan
    July 28, 2014

    Finding the right college savings plan can often be tricky.  Does your state offer tax advantages to residents? What about a prepaid tuition plan? We won’t even get started on advisor sold plans vs. direct sold plans. Let’s face it–the average consumer just doesn’t have the industry knowledge to make a well informed decision when opening a 529 account.

  • Summer Enrichment: Money Matters provide Teachable Moments

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    By Patricia Roberts, Managing Director
    AllianceBernstein L.P.
    July 21, 2014

    family image
    The welcomed and relaxed pace of summer provides a unique opportunity for us to catch our breath and address issues (big and small) that have been pushed to the side during the hustle and bustle of the school year. Even more importantly, with a bit less on our collective plates, the summer season also presents the opportunity to connect in meaningful ways with our families and particularly, with the children in our lives.

  • School’s out for Summer! What’s on Your Horizon?

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    By Dan Payne, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
    Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
    July 14, 2014

    Summer Fun
    Summer’s finally here, and today in the northwest, it actually feels like it. As I’m writing, the forecast for the day is a scorching 92 degrees… in Washington State! With more than a handful of beautiful days behind us already, this summer seems to be shaping up nicely.

  • Why Save for College?

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    By David Lawhorn, Program Administrator
    Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust (KESPT)
    Kentucky Affordable Prepaid Tuition (KAPT)
    July 7, 2014

    I have worked at a state agency for 14 years administering our state’s 529 college savings plan, and this is a question I get all the time: Why should I save for college? I usually try to answer this basic question by pointing out the below reasons on why it’s important to save for college:

  • A College Savings Pep Talk

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    By Luke Minor, Marketing & Communications Manager

    Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
    June 30, 2014woman with megaphone

    As much as those of us in the 529 world wish otherwise, starting a college savings plan is not always an easy decision for families to make. The benefits of saving for college may seem obvious, and most of us know that we “should be doing it,” but connecting these thoughts to action is not always easy. To help provide a little encouragement, we’ve planned a little pep talk to help you take your college savings game to the next level. To guide our discussion, we’ll look at a few inspirational quotes from some of the most outstanding leaders in sports history. So, let’s get our game faces on and go win one for your kids!

  • Summer Break is no Time to Break from Saving

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    By John Perdue, West Virginia State Treasurer
    College Savings Plans Network Executive Board Member

    Summer Fun
    As a parent, I know how proud I am to see my children reach important milestones in life, like graduations.  As a state treasurer, I also know how important it is to keep planning and saving for my children’s next milestone.

    With the school year coming to a close, many of you may be experiencing this sense of pride and excitement as your little one graduates from pre-school, high school or college. With graduation comes parties and celebrations, and from there, summer fun takes center stage.