Enrollment for Virginia529’s Prepaid Tuition Program Closes March 31!

The deadline to enroll in Virginia’s prepaid college tuition program is fast approaching. With Virginia529 prePAID (prePAID), parents, grandparents and other loved ones can purchase defined benefit contracts, for newborn children through ninth graders. The prePAID program is designed to cover the normal full-time undergraduate tuition and fees assessed to all students at a Virginia public university.

“Our customers find that prePAID eliminates concerns about affording rising tuition and is an effective way to control the ultimate cost of higher education,” said Mary Morris, Virginia529 CEO.

Contract prices vary based on the age of the beneficiary and the type of contract. Although the deadline to enroll is next Tuesday, families have additional time to coordinate their finances as the first prePAID payment is not due until May 1, 2015.

Participants may pay for prePAID contracts in a lump sum or in installments as low as $26 per month. Explore the full array of contract and payment options using the prePAID calculator.

Benefits may be used at other public and private colleges across the country, but payouts will differ. A prePAID contract also is transferable to other family members if the original beneficiary does not need it.  Review the prePAID Program Description, available at Virginia529.com, for complete details. Learn more and enroll online at Virginia529.com through March 31, 2015.

Virginia529 is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Where can Virginia families turn if they are looking for a college savings program with the most “reasonable fees, strong investment options, and capable oversight?”

That would be Virginia529 College Savings Plan!

In October, Virginia529 received national recognition for its inVEST and CollegeAmerica programs. The two are among eight receiving the highest praise from independent research firm Morningstar in 2014.

inVEST and CollegeAmerica are investment-based college savings programs similar to 401(k) plans for retirement savings.

Families can enroll in inVEST at Virginia529.com, selecting from a menu of investment portfolio options managed by highly-regarded investment groups such as Vanguard, American Funds and Aberdeen. The minimum contribution to open an inVEST account is $25.

Those who require additional assistance with financial decisions may prefer CollegeAmerica, which is available from authorized financial advisors. CollegeAmerica features investment options from American Funds and is Morningstar’s highest ranked advisor-sold plan in 2014.

Learn more about Virginia529 or read the 2014 review of the 64 largest 529 college savings plans.

This article is sponsored by Virginia529.

Here in the heart of Virginia, science and technology students at Longwood University don’t have to wait for graduation to make an impact. Across varied subjects and disciplines at this public university of about 5,000, students are participating in cutting-edge research.

Longwood’s Perspectives on Research in Science and Mathematics (PRISM), an eight-week summer research program that pairs students and faculty in an intensive partnership and provides students with a stipend, room and board. In one project, biology students have been involved in examining immunotherapy that shows promise in cancer treatment.

“I have learned a lot about immunology and genetic mutation, all of which apply to my classes,” said Emily Whitman, a biology major from Fairfax. This spring she is presenting data at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in San Diego.

Garrett Josemans, a physics and mathematics major from Fredericksburg, designed and tested a prototype airfoil that could become a novel method of harnessing wind power.

“I felt like I belonged in the lab environment,” said Savannah Barnett, a chemistry and biology major from Chesapeake researching an alternative way to test gunpowder residue.

And every May, students and faculty go on an academic pilgrimage to Yellowstone National Park to examine real-world issues including land and water conservation, wildlife management and business.

Curious, scientific minds are finding bright futures at Longwood University. Remember that when researching colleges with your future science major.

This article is sponsored by Longwood University

Fast forward (I know this is painful) and imagine your child with a high school diploma. What will the next few years hold for him or her? College or a career training program?

September is College Savings Month to help remind parents that “back to school” also means “soon to college.” As quickly as your child traded pacifiers for pencils, he or she will be applying to colleges and planning for the future. Saving now will help you prepare financially to make those plans a reality.

Virginia529 College Savings Plan (Virginia529) suggests three things you can do to ensure college doesn’t catch you off guard:

• Start saving now. Every dollar saved is a dollar you don’t have to borrow. It doesn’t take much; you can open a Virginia529 college savings account with as little as $25.
• Learn how much college could cost with this College Savings Planner calculator. If you’re already saving, you can even compare your expected contributions to the predicted cost.
• Encourage family and friends to give your child the gift of education by making a contribution to his or her college savings account. It’s always the perfect size, shape and color!

Are you smarter about saving for college than the average parent?
Test your knowledge about saving for college and see if you are smarter than the average parent. You could win a college savings account valued at $529 from Virginia529. To enter, complete this quiz by September 30, 2014.

Virginia529 offers four flexible, affordable, tax-advantaged programs to help families tame the Tuition Monster. For more information on Virginia529’s college savings options, visit Virginia529.com. Follow Virginia529 on Facebook and Twitter for college savings tips, program news and contests.

This article is sponsored by Virginia529.