College

  • 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

    students
    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

    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.

  • 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!

  • Class of 2014

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    By Kathleen McGrath
    Director, PA 529 College Savings Program
    June 9, 2014
    college grads
    My “baby” just graduated from college. The last of three. It is bittersweet. Bitter in that she is all grown-up – I can’t deny it anymore.  Sweet, in that there are no more college bills to pay!

  • College Savings Plans: It’s Never Too Late to Start

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    By Robin Lott
    Executive Director, Michigan Education Trust
    June 2, 2014

    college grads

    Summer is finally here and it’s graduation time once again!  Families are busy preparing to honor students and to celebrate many facets of milestone graduates.  Pre-school children are being recognized for graduating to kindergarten.  Elementary and middle school students are graduating to the next level and high school seniors are on their way to college.  Many families are also thinking, “Wow, where did the time go?”  Now is a good time to conduct a mid-year review of your college savings strategy.  Gifts into your 529 prepaid or investment plan can further reduce future college debt.

  • Work Hard. Stay Humble. Dream Big

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    By Ryan Betz
    Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
    Washington Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
    May 19, 2014

    Capitol in the springtime

    I return from an incredible week in Orlando attending the National Association of State Treasurers’ Treasury Management Training Symposium totally inspired by the talented professionals that lead our industry in helping American families save for their children’s college education. This event reminded me of the magnitude of our responsibility and opportunity to have a life-changing impact on millions of families for generations to come.

  • 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:

  • 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.