Author Archives

  • New Proposed Federal Legislation Supports Families Saving for College

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    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:

  • Financial Literacy & Consumer Focused Legislation Highlight Treasurers’ Conference

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    By Betty Lochner, Chair of College Savings Plans Network
    March 24, 2014

    Capitol in the springtime

    There are two things I really enjoy in life. One is visiting our nation’s capital. The other is watching Saturday Night Live. For years, I have been a lucky person because it seems like these two things always seem to find each other in funny satire political skits. Whether it’s Will Ferrell impersonating President George W. Bush or Jay Pharoah taking on the persona of President Barack Obama, you never have to look too hard to find humor in American politics.

  • Create Your Own Pot O’ Gold this St. Patrick’s Day

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    By Iowa State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald
    March 17, 2014

    Fitzgerald and Grandson

    As State Treasurer of Iowa and administrator of College Savings Iowa, I frequently have the opportunity to talk to grandparents about saving for their grandchildren’s future education costs. As a grandparent, you want to help prepare the next generation to succeed. One way to accomplish this is to start saving for those future costs. Since I am still in my first year as a grandparent, this has never been more of a reality as it is now.

  • Saving for College — Two Plans are Better Than One!

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    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?

    collegemoney

    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.

  • Kids Remind Us of What’s Important: Technology Brings Us Together

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    By:  Betty Lochner, Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program & CSPN Chair

    Kid President

    You may or may not be aware of a young man named Robby, better known as Kid President, who has become an Internet sensation for his inspiring videos about how we can make the world a better place.  Robby reminds us of the simple truth that kids want nothing more than to leave the world better than they found it. In Robby’s most famous video titled “Pep Talk” he says, “If there are two paths, I want to be on the one that leads to awesome.”

  • Happy Presidents Day!

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      President's Day

     

    We celebrate Presidents Day each February, and it gives us a chance to reflect on our country’s history and leaders.  There has been a long tradition of higher education support and action from White House occupants.  Almost all had higher education in their background, and many initiated or supported expanded opportunities for education and research before, during, or after their time in office.  I like historical trivia, so here are some presidential facts you may not know, along with some lesser known features of 529 college savings plans.  Pay attention—there’s a quiz at the end.

  • So what is a prepaid plan exactly?

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    By Claire Whittington Director, Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) Program As parenting fears go, starting a college fund is right up there with sending your child to their first […]