For College Savings Month, learn how California’s ScholarShare 529 can help families start saving for future education expenses.
ScholarShare 529 gives families a way to start saving for qualified higher education expenses.*
September is College Savings Month, an annual opportunity to focus on a challenge familiar to many families: education is expensive, and saving for it can feel intimidating.
College Savings Month grew from wider efforts to help families learn about education savings and the role 529 plans can play in preparing for future costs. In 2003, Congress supported the goals and ideals of College Savings Month, helping establish September as a time to encourage more families to think about saving before future education costs arrive.
Why September Matters for Savings
For California families, that conversation about education costs connects directly to ScholarShare 529.
“The truth is college is expensive,” says Cassandra DiBenedetto, ScholarShare Investment Board Executive Director.
That reality can make education savings feel out of reach, especially when families are balancing everyday expenses, changing budgets and uncertain plans for the future. But College Savings Month is not about solving everything in September, it’s about using the month to take one practical step. That step begins with learning how ScholarShare 529 can help.
How ScholarShare 529 Can Help
ScholarShare 529 is California’s official education savings plan. It helps families save for qualified higher-education expenses at eligible colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational schools and more. You can use savings from a ScholarShare 529 account for qualified expenses such as tuition, books, computers and certain room and board costs.
This College Savings Month, there are several ways to take a practical step toward saving for the future.
- Open an account online at ScholarShare529.com
- Set up recurring contributions
- Invite grandparents or other loved ones to contribute
- Revisit your education savings goals for the school year ahead.
Those actions do not change the cost of education, but they can help families begin planning around it. As plans change, a ScholarShare 529 account gives families flexibility. If one child does not use the money, you may be able to transfer the funds to another eligible family member. As DiBenedetto says, “A dollar is more important than no dollars.”
One Action to Prepare for the Future
That idea fits the purpose of College Savings Month. Saving for education does not require knowing exactly where a child will go to school or what path they will choose. It starts with recognizing that future education costs are real, then choosing one action that can help you prepare.
September gives families a reason to look ahead. ScholarShare 529 gives them a place to start saving. Take one step this September toward planning for education costs with ScholarShare 529. Visit ScholarShare529.com today to open a ScholarShare 529 account and get started.
Disclosure:
To learn more about California’s ScholarShare 529, its investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses see the Plan Description at ScholarShare529.com before investing. Read it carefully. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. If the funds aren’t used for qualified higher education expenses, a federal 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Non-qualified withdrawals may also be subject to an additional 2.5% California tax on earnings. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, is the distributor and underwriter for ScholarShare 529. 5841608
