CSPN News

  • Give the Gift of a College Savings Account this Cyber Monday

    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.

  • Something to be Thankful For

    By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
    State Treasurer, State of Iowa
    November 27, 2013

    With Thanksgiving only a few days away, many people are sharing with others what they are thankful for. Like many, I have a lot to be thankful for. In June, we welcomed my first grandchild, Michael John to the family.

  • Need Help Saving? Read THIS!

    By Jodi Golden
    Director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority<
    November 22, 2013

    In today’s hustle and bustle of life, it seems more and more families are having a harder time saving for their most valuable expense of all, a college education . For families with children it seems like there’s another expense around every corner, from trendy new clothes to the newest video game to the never ending list of sports equipment, games and travel. With these expenses and a plethora of others, I find families question how anyone can expect them to put away enough money to cover the cost of a future post-secondary education?

  • Is a Prepaid Tuition Plan right for my family?

    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.

  • College Board Publishes Some Good News For College Savers

    Mary Anne Busse
    Managing Director, Great Disclosure LLC
    October 23, 2013

    The College Board just came out with their annual review of college prices. Trends in College Pricing 2013, the College Board noted that in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions increased just 2.9% in 2013-14 compared to 2012-2013 prices. This “followed increases of 4.5% in 2012‑13 and 8.5% in 2011-12 and was the smallest percentage increase in over 30 years”. That is some promising news for college savers. If this trend continues, it means your college savings may go much further than you may have originally planned.

  • 2013 NAST Annual Conference

    By Betty Lochner
    Executive Director, Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition program
    October 15, 2013

    Last week I attended the National Association of State Treasurers’ (NAST) annual conference in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. This event brings together state treasury departments from across the nation to discuss public finance issues, share policy ideas and elect new NAST officers for the upcoming year. For me, the conference was a valuable and informative three days of networking and gaining more insight into the complex financial issues throughout our nation and how those issues are affecting individual states and 529 plans.

  • The Truth about Prepaid Tuition Plans

    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.”

  • September is College Savings Month

    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.

  • CSPN 529 Plan Investor Survey

    • The College Savings Plans Network—the national non-profit association and the leading, objective source of information about Section 529 College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Plans—is collecting information from 529 investors in each state to learn more about the habits of people who are saving for college. This will help us better understand investors’ patterns. No individual’s specific data will be shared – we are only looking for overall numbers and trends. Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey here

  • Summer Reading: An Important Investment For College

    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.