CSPN News

  • New Proposed Federal Legislation Supports Families Saving for College

    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

    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

    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.

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

    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!

     

      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?

    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 […]

  • White House Initiative – College Savings

    graduates

    January 28, 2014

    Recently, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama issued a call to action, requesting colleges and universities, foundations, businesses, non-profits, government officials, other leaders and individuals to make commitments to help assure that college becomes a reality for more young people. The objective is to help an increased number of students afford college and graduate with the skills they need to succeed. The call to action along with some of the commitments made in response to it can be viewed here:

  • 529 Plans and the FAFSA

    By: Jodi Golden
    Director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority
    January 27, 2014

     

    FAFSA? What in the world does that mean, you ask? Well, for those families that have a child nearing college, you’re probably familiar with this infamous acronym. FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is one of the most important documents a prospective college student may ever have to submit. This document helps determine your eligibility for federal and state student financial aid.

  • MLK’s Leadership Provides a Roadmap for College Savings

    By: Betty Lochner, Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program & CSPN Chair
    January 20, 2014

    With the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday upon us, I have been thinking about what it means to be a passionate leader and what an important role education plays in influencing our growth as individuals and a society. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

  • Prepaid Tuition Plan Provides a Father of 9 Children with Flexibility to Start a Business

    College Savings Plans of Maryland

    During this past holiday season, I had the wonderful blessing of receiving an incredible testimonial from one of our Prepaid College Trust account holders that I think highlights just how committed some of our account holders are to the concept of a 529 prepaid tuition plan and how it provides them with peace of mind that they have saved for at least a portion of future college expenses.