Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs

SPRINGFIELD – Giving the gift of college savings this holiday season is a great way to inspire students to attend a college, university, or vocational school, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today.

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A child is three times more likely to attend college if they know that they have a dedicated college savings account, according to research from the Center of Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis. Ensuring nationally recognized 529 programs is one-way Frerichs’ office makes college more accessible.

“We encourage family and friends to contribute to a loved one’s Bright Start 529 College Savings account this holiday season,” Frerichs said. “This is a great way to share the importance of education, set high expectations for students, and avoid holiday crowds.”

Through the GiftED program, any individual can contribute to a friend or family member’s Bright Start 529 account at brightstart.com/give-a-gift/.

Here are a few ways to contribute:

Online: Contact the Bright Start College Savings account owner andask them tolog-in to their account and send a personalized email invitation to you. There are several message templates to choose from including birthdays, baby showers and holidays.

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By mail: Print and fill out a deposit coupon and mail it with a check to: Bright Start Direct 529, P.O. Box 85298, Lincoln, NE 68501

Gift-givers also have access to designed cards and certificates ready to print and mail to let the recipient know a contribution has been made to their college savings fund.

Open a new account: Bright Start accounts can be opened by almost anyone, there are no income limits, and there is no minimum contribution requirement.

Frerichs serves as Trustee and Administrator of two Illinois’ 529 College Savings programs: the Bright Start direct-sold 529 program and the Bright Directions advisor-sold program. Since 2015, Frerichs has worked with Union Bank & Trust, the program manager, to reduce fees and ensure more investment dollars go directly to college savings. These changes have helped the plans grow to more than 700,000 accounts with more than $14 billion in assets.

Money in a 529 college savings account can be used at eligible educational institutions, including public and private, two-year, four-year colleges and universities, and certain technical and vocational schools. The investment grows tax-free when spent on qualified expenses.

For more information about the Treasurer’s Office 529 College Savings programs, visit www.illinoistreasurer.gov.

About the Illinois Treasurer

As Illinois State Treasurer, Frerichs is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $35 billion. The portfolio includes $16 billion in state funds, $13 billion in retirement and college savings plans and $6 billion on behalf of local and state governments. The investment approach is cautious to ensure the preservation of capital and returns $42 to the state for every $1 spent in operations. Frerichs’ office protects consumers by safeguarding more than $3 billion in unclaimed property, encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, assisting people with disabilities save without losing government benefits, and removing barriers to a secure retirement. The Treasurer’s Office predates Illinois incorporation in 1818. Voters in 1848 chose to make it an elected office.

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