September is College Savings Month: What's YOUR Plan?

It's National College Savings Month, a time to recognize that it's never too early to save for a child's college education, as it is one of the most important things a family can do.

Every child deserves the opportunity to attend college, and it's unfortunate that continually rising tuition threatens to drive the cost of college beyond reach for many. Thankfully, in Illinois, we're fortunate enough to have a state-sponsored prepaid tuition program that keeps pace with rising tuition, making college more affordable in the long-run.

Here's how it works:

The College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program helps families save early and over time for college. Families can start saving when their child is in diapers, and by the time the child is college bound, tuition and mandatory fees will have been paid for.

To get started, families can select a plan (community college, university or university plus) that best fits their child's needs. Various payment options are available, including monthly and annual installments. When the beneficiary is ready to head off to college, he or she can choose to attend college almost anywhere and they can enjoy their college experience without worrying about how they will pay back loans.

Since the program's inception in 1998, families have trusted College Illinois! to provide tuition benefits for more than 66,000 future college students. In fact, nearly 14,000 students have already utilized College Illinois! benefits to pay for college at almost 800 campuses across the country!

There's no better time to start saving than during College Savings Month! Prices adjust on the first day of each month, every month, so it pays to enroll before October 1. To sign up now, call toll-free at 877-877-3724 or click here.

For more information:
Tonya Polk
Manager of Sales & Marketing
College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
529info@isac.org
(877) 877-3724

Save Big with Prepaid Tuition

Everyone loves a bargain. In fact, nowadays, people who save are considered trendy. Whether you get your savings from a back-to-school door buster, through Groupon or clipping coupons from the Sunday paper the old fashioned way, we all know that getting a deal makes us feel satisfied and accomplished, especially in tough economic times.

In fact, a recent survey by Deloitte Consulting showed that 58 percent of those shopping for back-to-school supplies this year are changing the way they shop because of economic concerns. For example, 70 percent indicated they will buy more sale items while more than half planned to use more store coupons.

While school is top of mind and National Coupon Month (September) is around the corner, here's an educational bargain you will most certainly want to take advantage of: prepaid college tuition.

Here's why: tuition is rising at an average of six to eight percent a year, and today's newborn is expected to pay upwards of $180,000 to attend college! Prepaid college tuition programs like the College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program, lock in tuition for the future at rates set today. The theory is to pay for college over time, at a payment schedule that fits your family's needs. When the time comes for a child to head off to college, tuition and mandatory fees will already be paid for, and the benefits can be applied at nearly any college or university nationwide. With a College Illinois! contract, you won't pay an extra cent when college tuition rises.

Interested in learning more about this smart, secure program? Here's a freebie for you – click here to chat with a prepaid tuition specialist today and learn how you can make this economic plan work for your family. Just remember, prices adjust on the first day of each month, every month, so it's a real steal to purchase before September 1.

For more information:
Tonya Polk
Manager of Sales & Marketing
College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
529info@isac.org
(877) 877-3724

The Answer is Clear – Prepaid Tuition is the Best Way to Prepare for College

Parents, take out your Number 2 pencils – its time for a pop quiz. While back-to-school season is in full swing, its time to see just how prepared you are for your child's educational future.

Please read the following statements and answer TRUE if you agree with them, or FALSE if you do not:

1. College tuition will be more expensive when my child reaches college age.
2. Even though my child is young, it is important to save now for their college tuition.
3. Prepaid tuition plans help you save money on college costs.
4. With a prepaid tuition plan, I can pay for college over time.
5. Prepaid tuition plans can be designed to meet my family's unique needs.

Now it's time to add up your answers. For every TRUE, give yourself 1 point. For every FALSE, give yourself 0 points.

Analysis:
If you scored 5: Congratulations! You know that college tuition is expensive, and the trend is expected to continue with increases in tuition at an average of 6 to 8 percent a year. You also understand the importance of prepaid tuition plans like the College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan. Smart, secure plans like this help you save for college while saving money on college. What's more, College Illinois! plans can be tailored to meet a family's educational and financial needs.

If you scored below 5: You need a quick lesson on college savings! Did you know that today's newborn is expected to pay an upwards of $180,000 for college? See for yourself with the College Illinois! 529 Prepaid Tuition college cost calculator.

Now that we've given you the facts, its time to plan for your child's future with the College Illinois! 529 Prepaid Tuition Program. Click here or call (877) 877-3724 to speak with a prepaid tuition specialist today about how you can make the early choice on a smart decision.

For more information:
Tonya Polk
Manager of Sales & Marketing
College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
529info@isac.org
(877) 877-3724

Join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission at the 2010 Illinois State Fair

Join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) at the 2010 Illinois State Fair, which takes place in Springfield from August 13 through August 22.

During the fair, visit with ISAC staff in the Governor's Tent (located near the main entrance of the Fairgrounds on the corner of Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue), which is open daily
from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In keeping with the Governor's Tent theme of "Job Creation," ISAC will provide fair-goers with information about financial assistance as well as highlight its contributions to promoting job growth through its week-long theme of "Investing in Tomorrow's Workforce by Making College Accessible and Affordable for All Illinois Students."

ISAC will also be hosting an array of games and activities, including corn hole, and giving away prizes for everyone in the family to enjoy, including a backpack, fans and KnowHow2GoIllinois pencils.

Fair attendees and anyone with questions about college financial assistance or College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition should visit an ISAC representative on one of the following days of the fair:

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Fair Schedule
Friday	August 13	County Fair and Horse Racing Day
Saturday	August 14	City of Springfield/Local Officials Day
Sunday	August 15	Veterans Day
Monday	August 16	Senior Citizens/Scout Day
Tuesday	August 17	Agriculture Day
Wednesday	August 18	Governor's Day
Thursday	August 19	Republican Day
Friday	August 20	Futures for Kids Day
Saturday	August 21	Park District Conservation Day
Sunday	August 22	Family Day

We hope to see you in Springfield!.

For more information:
Tonya Polk
Manager of Sales & Marketing
College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
529info@isac.org
(877) 877-3724

College: Save Now, Worry Never

Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? More than likely, mom and dad calmed your nerves by prepping you well –-with a shiny new lunchbox, everything on the recommended back to school list and a box of tissues for extra kudos. Ahhh, those were the days. If only preparing for college was that easy.

With ever increasing tuition costs (some schools as high as 13 percent a year), it seems like no amount of preparation or savings will ever be enough.

Here's some reassuring news: with a prepaid tuition plan, parents, grandparents or other relatives can put a child's worries about affording college at bay.  Smart, secure plans like the College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program fit the need by many families to simply pay now for tuition (at today's rates) and not have to worry about it later (when prices are far worse).

Here's how the College Illinois 529 Prepaid Tuition Program works:

1. Choose a plan that best fits your family's needs by selecting the number of semesters to purchase (one to nine), the type of plan (community college, university or university plus) and the up-front payment schedule.


2. Pay for tuition over time, or in one lump sum.


3. When the time comes for a child to attend college, he or she can apply benefits nearly any college or university in the nation.

Enrollment is open year-round, making it easier than ever to sign up today. For more information, click here or call (877) 877-3724 to speak with a prepaid tuition specialist today.

For more information:
Tonya Polk
Manager of Sales & Marketing
College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
529info@isac.org
(877) 877-3724

College Tuition for Back to School Shopping Season

It’s back to school season and like every July, you’ve shopped early for the basics. Pens – check.
Pencils – check. Book covers – check. But this year, consider a getting a head start on the most important purchase of all – college tuition.

As the school year begins, it’s a smart time to consider that college is one year closer. With the College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan, you can save money for college while saving on college. It’s that easy.

The College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Program is a state-administered program that keeps pace with rising tuition (on average, tuition increases 6 to 8 percent annually). When a College Illinois! contract is purchased, you lock in prices for tomorrow’s tuition today.

For example: if you purchase a semester’s worth of in-state tuition at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (through the University+ Plan) at the current annual rate of $10,386, in 15 years, when your child is actually attending the school, tuition might cost an upwards of $22,849, but you won’t pay a dime because you’ve already purchased the semester. Try to estimate the cost of attending the school of choice when your child reaches college age with our college cost calculator.

When the time comes, benefits can be used at nearly any public or private college in the country

So while school is top of mind this season, consider making the early choice on a smart savings program. It will pay off in the long run..

For more information:
Tonya Polk
Manager of Sales & Marketing
College Illinois!® 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
529info@isac.org
(877) 877-3724