By Robin Lott
Executive Director for Michigan Education Trust
December 10, 2013
With Thanksgiving now a new memory, we are now smack in the middle of the holiday season. While you are busy decking the halls with bows and holly and searching for the perfect gift for the loved ones in your life consider this: why not give the gift of education? Higher education is a gift that keeps on giving and your state’s college savings program can help.
By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
State Treasurer, State of Iowa
While you are looking for the perfect gift on-line Cyber Monday, make sure you visit www.CollegeSavings.org to find the perfect 529 plan. Rather than fight the crowds in the mall to find a gift that will be forgotten by next year, give the gift of college savings that will last a lifetime. State-sponsored 529 plans provide investors the opportunity to save for a loved one’s higher education costs and get a tax benefit for themselves at the same time. With some plans having an initial investment as low as $25 to open an account, it makes the perfect gift for almost anyone to give.
Part II of a Two Part Series on 529 Prepaid Plans
By Sheila Salehian
Senior Deputy Treasurer for the State of Nevada
November 12, 2013
Last week, I shared a bit of my personal college savings story.The following lessons I’ve learned will hopefully help you firm up your college savings plans, understand more about 529 Prepaid Tuition programs, and avoid costly mistakes!
Part I of a Two Part Series on 529 Prepaid Plans
By Sheila Salehian
Senior Deputy Treasurer for the State of Nevada
November 7, 2013
I often get asked this question when providing community outreach support. Like most Deputy Treasurers who serve the public by helping families save for college, that question is a difficult and somewhat tricky one to answer. Since most of us are not a certified professional financial planner, we can only share our experiences and the facts of what a prepaid tuition program offers. In addition to sharing facts from Bloomberg and other financial experts, which I’ll discuss in Part II of this posting, my typical response is to share my very real and personal story.
By Michael Parker
Executive Director, Oregon 529 College Savings Network
Ghosts and ghouls may scare you when they come knocking at your door for Halloween treats. But college savings isn’t as scary as some people think. One of the common pieces of feedback that 529 plans hear is that “I’m too late,” or “I don’t want to bother, because I won’t save enough.” That is scary.
By Mary G. Morris
CEO, Virginia529
October 1, 2013
“Why should I save for college with a prepaid tuition plan? My financial advisor said I should invest in a 529 plan instead.” Many of us in the 529 world frequently hear this from families who are exploring their college savings options. Our response is always the same, “A prepaid tuition plan IS a 529 plan, and there are some important benefits to saving for college with one.”
By Patricia Roberts
Managing Director & Senior 529 Product Manager, AllianceBernstein L.P.
September 26, 2013
Back to school season is a gentle reminder that the children in our lives are one year closer to college. Whether you’ve just recently walked hand in hand with your toddler into the first day of preschool, waved as your little one boarded a school bus for the very first time or offered an encouraging high five as an older child more independently headed off to middle school, there’s no time like now to develop a plan for what lies ahead. With a blink of an eye, not only will the children in your life have grown, but what they envision for their future will likely have evolved as well.
By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
State Treasurer,State of Iowa
August 29, 2013
College planning may be the last thing on the minds of families already busy juggling the demands of work and home. However, with the cost of higher education rising faster than inflation, nearly every family will face the question of how to pay for it when the time comes. The answer is quite simple – start saving today. By starting early, saving regularly and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them.
By Betty Lochner
Director, Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET)
August 22, 2013
Summer is winding down. Schools are opening their doors for another year. That means it’s time to grab school supplies to make sure your kids are ready. So how do you pay for school expenses now and still plan ahead for those expenses waiting for you?
By Mary G. Morris
CEO, Virginia529
August 15, 2013
It really is easy – and inexpensive – to get started with a 529 college savings account.
I talk to hundreds of people about higher education in the course of a year – about how important it is, plans to attend and how to pay for it. Many conversations are at Virginia529-sponsored events and some are with people I meet in the course of a day at the grocery store, a restaurant or at the dentist’s office. The reality is that most people are interested in college and its costs and once they know that I work at a 529 plan, the questions come quickly.
By Michael Parker
Executive Director, Oregon 529 College Savings Network
August 1, 2013
When the school year ends and summer arrives, it’s human nature to think about “shutting it down” a little and relax over the break. As parents, the constant hum of activity makes way for those lazier days. But those lazy days could result in complacency, especially as it relates to education and reading.
By Lucas Minor
Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Guaranteed Education Tuition
Last week we talked about some fun ways to help mitigate the learning decline that many children experience over summer break. We’re keeping the ideas flowing this week with more fun activities to keep your child’s mind sharp! Let’s prevent those summer cobwebs from forming.