By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald>State Treasurer, State of Iowa
September 18, 2013
Data collected as part of our 2013 Mid-Year 529 Report indicates that families are increasingly using 529 plans to pay for their children’s college education. 529 plan assets reached record amounts as of June 30, 2013 with more than $205 billion invested nationally. This is a 7.98% increase during the first half of 2013.
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 Joan Marshall
Executive Director, College Savings Plans of Maryland
July 12, 2013
There is no “off season” when it comes to promoting the benefits of saving for college! Those of us who manage 529 plans are passionate about meeting families wherever they are to help them learn about how important it is to save for college and how easy it is to save in a 529 plan.
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.
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.
10 Important Questions to Ask Before you Decide<
By Joan Marshall,
Executive Director, College Savings Plans of Maryland
April 23, 2013
For those of us who manage 529 college savings plans, this is a question that we hear from time to time – primarily when families see an ad (usually on TV) that promotes life insurance as a way to save for college.
In Maryland, we have responded to this question by creating a chart that compares our 529 prepaid tuition plan and our 529 savings plan with one of the popular life insurance products.
By Steve Dombrower, CFA
Vice President, College Savings Plans
OppenheimerFunds, Inc., Program Manager for Numerous 529 Plans
March 7, 2013
In my January 4th posting titled “You Can Afford College”, I talked about how with a little knowledge, planning, and the right tools, paying for college can be within reach. Specifically, we explored how savings is only one of several sources of funding you will use when the time comes to send your loved one off to college. In this entry, we will discuss how saving today can potentially reduce your overall out of pocket college costs.
By Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
State Treasurer, State of Iowa
March 1, 2013
Still trying to figure out the best way to spend your tax refund this year? Instead of splurging it on something that will be gone before you know it, why not invest it in something that will last a lifetime, such as a loved one’s 529 college savings account. While their college years may seem a long ways off for some, the time to save for those higher education expenses is now. By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their 529 plans work for them and get the most out of these precious years.
By Lauren Shipley
Public Relations and Marketing Manager College Savings Plans of Maryland
February 20, 2013
That age old saying, “time is money,” really is true—especially when it comes to saving for college. The projected costs of tuition can be shocking; but while some figures may seem unattainable, every dollar saved today could be a dollar less borrowed later. Each family has its own unique situations and goals when it comes to saving for a child’s future college education. Each State has a 529 plan that can help, regardless of how little or how much you can afford. Many offer initial monthly contribution amounts around $25 – for many families that is just one less pizza night a month.