CSPN News

  • This Fourth of July, Focus on the Freedom to Save

    By Jodi Golden
    Director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority
    July 3, 2013

    Getting ready for a patriotic BBQ? Ribs, chicken, burgers … formula, strained carrots, rice cereal? …It seems that no matter what the occasion, your new bundle of joy comes with a wide range of expenses. However, although diapers and food are obviously necessary, saving for college should also be high on the priority list. With college sometimes 18 years or more away, families may not realize the impact saving early could have. However, if they take a look at the reality of saving, even just a little per month, versus borrowing that amount in the future, it’s sure to open their eyes to the importance of saving now.

  • Student Loan Interest Rate’s Looming Rise and the Growing Need to Save for College

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

    Recent Congressional action seems to indicate that the Senate will be unable to reach a compromise that will keep student loan interest rates from doubling before the July 1 deadline. “If I were a betting person, I’d say that’s something we’ll come back and attempt to fix retroactively,” Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., told ABC News.

  • Can I Really Go to College?

    By Mary Anne Busse
    Managing Director, Great Disclosure LLC
    June 20, 2013

    I know one young student, let’s call him Sam, who wants to attend college but he just hasn’t focused enough on his grades. Smart kid, but hasn’t applied himself. Now that he’s about to be a senior in high school he’s realized that he needs to step it up. He even thinks it may be too late. I also hear many students say that college won’t work for them because they don’t know what they want to do. Others think they have too many financial responsibilities. Still others may think college costs too much.

  • 529 College Savings Day May Be Over, But Any Day Is A Great Day to Save

    By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
    State Treasurer, State of Iowa
    June 5, 2013

    May 29th marked 529 College Savings Day, a day to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college with 529 plans. With over 30 states across the U.S. are celebrating 529 Day during the month of May, families across the country had the opportunity to participate in some exciting events from discount zoo admissions to 529 plan scholarships giveaways.  We at the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) led the way with our first ever 529 Day 529 plan scholarship giveaway.  We awarded 10 different $529 scholarships to the lucky winners who “Liked” our Facebook page.  People from 42 states and the District of Columbia entered the contest and the winners represented states from Washington to Kentucky!

  • What’s Your State Doing for 529 College Savings Day?

    By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
    State Treasurer, State of Iowa
    May 23, 2013

    May 29th marks 529 College Savings Day, a day to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college with 529 plans. This year more than 30 states across the U.S. are celebrating 529 Day during the month of May. States are hosting 529 education sessions, waiving enrollment fees, discount admissions to zoos, offering 529 plan scholarships and more. Today, we at The College Savings Plans Network(CSPN), the nation’s leading objective source about Section 529 College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Plans, have released an infographic detailing these great events. The full infographic is available online.

  • 2013 CSPN Annual Conference

    By Mary Anne Busse
    Managing Director, Great Disclosure LLC
    May 15, 2013

    The College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) is meeting this week in Pittsburgh for the annual National Association of State Treasurers Treasury Management Symposium. 529 Plan representatives from all over the country are discussing ways to make 529 Plans available to every college saver in the country. This morning, state representatives had a chance to share significant program initiatives, marketing strategies, insights and innovations for their plans. Here are some highlights:

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    By Patricia Roberts
    Managing Director & Senior 529 Product Manager, AllianceBernstein L.P.
    May 11, 2013

    As Mother’s Day approaches and with graduation season just around the corner, it is an ideal time to honor the women in our lives who have offered support and encouragement with respect to educational pursuits.

    For reading to us at night, for patiently holding up flashcards in our early days of mastering multiplication and division, for sitting attentively as our “audience” for book reports and presentations, for showing such interest in projects large and small along the way, we thank you.  We also thank you for encouraging us to follow our dreams and for helping us to make them a reality with some careful planning and sacrifice.


    About the Author:
    Patricia Roberts is a Managing Director at AllianceBernstein where she is the Senior 529 Product Manager for Rhode Island’s CollegeBoundfund, the nation’s second largest advisor-sold college savings program with $7+ billion in assets.  She has been involved in nearly every aspect of the 529 industry for the past 15 years as an attorney, product manager, state relationship manager and as a passionate advocate and public speaker.  She is an active participant in the College Savings Plans Network’s Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Federal Initiatives and National Communications Committees.
  • H.R. 529 – Savings Enhancement for Education in College Act

    By Joan Marshall, Executive Director, College Savings Plans of Maryland & Mary Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia529
    May 7, 2013

    May is a month of celebrations, as youth across the country graduate from kindergarten thru college. CSPN and its members also celebrate in May – on the 29thfor National 5-29 Day by holding events across the country to raise awareness of the need to save for higher education. National 5-29 Day also helps families learn about 529 college savings plans and how they can help families achieve their dreams of higher education for their children and grandchildren.