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September may be back to school for many families, but did you know it’s also College Savings Month? If you haven’t started saving for college yet, this is a great time to start and make a game plan. If you’re already a college saver, now is a perfect time to analyze where you are on your college savings journey and what you can do to maximize your efforts and grow your savings even more.
For College Savings Month in September, there are many promotions and events to inspire you to start saving for college or save more. Check out our list below to enjoy these College Saving Month promotions.
Free Webinar Presented by Saving for College – Sponsored by CollegeChoice CD 529 Savings Plan
Want to learn the basics about 529 plans and how to save for college? Then this webinar is for you!
Saving for College has lined up two knowledgeable experts to answer your 529 plan FAQs and take live questions as time permits. Our panel features Marissa Rowe, Executive Director of the Indiana Education Savings Authority, and Patricia Roberts, Chief Operating Officer of Gift of College and author of Route 529: A Parent’s Guide to Saving for College and Career Training with 529 Plans.
In addition, the Indiana Education Savings Authority is offering TWO attendees randomly selected by SFC a chance to win $500 towards an existing or new CollegeChoice CD 529 Plan account.
Our generous sponsors at CollegeChoice CD 529 Savings Plan make this free webinar possible. The CollegeChoice CD plan provides fee-free, FDIC-insured CD investment options and a high-yield savings account. Learn more at www.collegechoicecd.com.
We look forward to seeing you – register today!
Alabama – CollegeCounts
CollegeCounts launched the “First Grade, First Steps” Friday Folder Program in August. In conjunction with the Alabama Department of Education, CollegeCounts and the State of Alabama’s Treasurer’s office, they have supplied almost 70k folders to over 700 public elementary schools in Alabama with information about CollegeCounts and why it is important to save for higher education. In honor of College Savings Month, they will be giving away periodic contributions into existing and new accounts that visit our designated First Steps, First Grade landing page with our kickoff happening in September. The goal is to give contributions monthly starting in September and continuing through May with a total contribution amount of up to 10k.
CollegeCounts is also sending emails in honor of College Savings Month to current account owners encouraging contributions into their accounts.
Education Trust of Alaska Scholarships
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Education Trust of Alaska is funding three $20,000 scholarship accounts. Also, Alaska 529 is partnering with the Alaska Chamber of Commerce to establish and administer nine $49,000 scholarship accounts awarded to vaccinated youth as part of their GiveAKaShot vaccine incentive program.
Florida Prepaid
From September 13 – October 31, Florida Prepaid is offering a special promotion Big Dreams Start Early allowing families to enroll in a Prepaid Plan for free – saving the $50 application fee when they use the promo code “DREAMBIG21“when opening a new account.
Free Webinar – Maryland
In celebration of College Savings Month, Maryland 529 is hosting a live Intro to College Savings webinar on Thursday, September 23 at 12 pm (ET). Learn about the features and benefits of the Maryland Prepaid College Trust and the Maryland College Investment Plan and have your questions answered by a Maryland 529 representative. Registration is free, but required to participate. For more information, visit Maryland529.com/webinars.
MEFA Free Educational Events
MEFA will host a webinar about saving for college on September 14th at 6:30 p.m. Families with children of all ages may register here to learn information and resources to help them put a college savings plan in place. Those who can’t attend live may watch a recent recording of the presentation here. In addition, the BabySteps Savings Plan provides a $50 seed deposit into MEFA’s U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan for any child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2020 who is a Massachusetts resident. Learn more at babystepssavingsplan.org. MEFA’s social media efforts this month will include an increased number of posts to promote college savings resources, products, and education. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Michigan – MET and MESP Free Webinars
Michigan’s direct sold 529 plans, Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) will offer several free webinars during College Savings Month.
MET and MESP will offer joint webinars on September 14 at 7 p.m. and September 28 at noon. Attendees can learn the similarities and differences between the programs and the benefits of a 529 plan.
MET is hosting a MET only webinar September 16 at noon. Webinar attendees may qualify for a $100 match if they open a new MET prepaid tuition account prior to September 30, 2021. *
MESP is hosting a MESP only webinar to discuss Michigan’s direct sold 529 investment program September 15 at noon.
Learn more about MET at SETwithMET.com. Learn more about MESP at MIsaves.com
*Rules and eligibility requirements can be found at Michigan.gov/documents/setwithmet/Webinar_2021_Match_Rules_734525_7.pdf
CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plans – Indiana
Enter for your chance to win the CollegeChoice 529 $10,000 Education Sweepstakes! Individuals 18 years of age or older must complete the entry form available at www.collegechoicedirect.com/september by 11:59 p.m. on September 30. The winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries to receive a $10,000 CollegeChoice 529 account deposit.
College Savings Iowa
This year to celebrate College Savings Iowa is giving away a $1,000 College Savings Iowa contribution and an Apple iPad. Iowans can register by visiting Iowa529contest.com before 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2021.
Putnam 529 for America -Nevada
Putnam 529 for America will award each Nevada resident beneficiary with a one-time $100 account contribution when: The account owner or beneficiary has a Nevada address of record, the account has been established for at least 12 months, and the account balance, excluding award amounts, is at least $1,000. In addition, Nevada residents pay no annual maintenance or State fee. See the Nevada Putnam Scholarship Program brochure or offering statement for additional details.
Oregon College Savings Plan
The Oregon College Savings Plan is holding its annual Smart Start Sweepstakes from mid-August through October 31st. 20 families will win $250 for their child’s Oregon College Savings Plan account: www.oregoncollegesavings.com/smart-start-sweepstakes
Eligibility is limited to Oregon residents who are at least 18 years of age and who have a child aged 17 or younger.
In addition to the Smart Start Sweepstakes, Oregon College Savings Plan offers a number of year-round incentives and programs.
PA 529 College and Career Savings Program
To help families get an early start on a rewarding finish, all Pennsylvania children born in 2019 or later have a Keystone Scholars account with $100 invested for their postsecondary education. Visit pa529.com/keystone for account log-in and to learn more.
Join a free webinar on September 21, 2021, hosted by the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program featuring a representative from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to learn about the financial aid process. During this session, they will talk about how to apply for financial aid for a postsecondary education. There will also be discussion about the various types of financial aid that are available and attendees will learn about the available PHEAA resources for supporting students and families through this process.
Make Your Mark Contest, sponsored by my529 and the Utah System of Higher Education
The contest lets Utah students exhibit their talents by creating an original bookmark design for a chance to win a college savings scholarship. Eight Utah students in kindergarten through grade 12 will each receive a $1,000 college savings scholarship for their winning bookmark designs. Ownership of a my529 account is not required. Submit an original bookmark design on the official entry form found here. Program open September 1 through 30, 2021.
SMART529, West Virginia’s Education Savings Plan
West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore is announcing the grand prize winner of the When I Grow Up essay contest on a Facebook Live event September 23rd. In addition to money invested in their college savings accounts, contest winners will win $500 cash prizes for their respective schools. Families with a child under one can sign up for the Bright Babies incentive to receive $100 in their account. SMART529 staff will be distributing information at West Virginia University’s first home football game on September 11th. Additionally, the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office will be sharing college savings information on Facebook and Twitter.
Washington – WA529
Washington (WA529) is doing a college savings fun fact a day on their various social media channels to promote College Savings Month; create custom 529-themed graphics on the WA529 website hosted by the program’s mascot Hootie the owl; post fresh blog content for College Savings Month and produce new “Storytime with Hootie” videos in which guest readers read money-themed childrens’ books to Hootie and kids.
Other ways to save more for college
Looking for more ways to grow your college savings? Check out Upromise and CollegeBacker, both of which can provide ways to increase your savings. With Upromise, earn cash for college by shopping at 1000 stores through their online links, dining out, and signing up for their credit card. CollegeBacker allows you to open or link some 529 plans, shop through their online portal, and create a gifting page that lets family and friends give college savings gifts for holidays and birthdays.
Are there any other College Saving Month promotions happening? Let us know about it at support@savingforcollege.com!
Plus, take a look at some of our most popular College Savings articles below.
