Treasurer Fitzgerald Awards $5,290 College Savings Iowa Account to Des Moines Child

Related Media

Treasurer Fitzgerald awards Peyton Becker and her mom, Krista, a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account

DES MOINES, IA (12/19/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald presented a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account today to one year old Peyton Becker. Peyton was chosen to receive the award after her mother, Krista, entered her for the giveaway as part of the College Savings Iowa Fall Giveaway.

"With college tuition rising faster than inflation, saving for college is not an easy task these days," stated Fitzgerald. "Our goal for College Savings Iowa is to encourage families to start saving early for their loved one's higher educational expenses. Saving ahead of time can reduce a parent's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help them and their child get through college with less debt."

College Savings Iowa attended various events across the state this past fall to help spread the message about saving early. While learning about the Plan, families were able to register for the 2013 College Savings Iowa Giveaway. Peyton, who was randomly selected from over 9,000 entrants, will be able to use the $5,290 to help pay for tuition, books, room and board at any qualifying institution.

While investors do not need to be a state resident to participate in College Savings Iowa, there are some additional benefits if they are an Iowa taxpayer. Iowans can deduct contributions up to $3,045 per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2013.* In order to qualify for the 2013 tax deduction, contributions must be made by the end of the year. Participants can contribute online at collegesavingsiowa.com. If sent by mail, they must postmark checks by December 31, 2013.

Opening a College Savings Iowa account is simple. With as little as $25 and ten minutes anyone can start investing on behalf of a child. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116. You can also connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (Iowa529Plan) to learn about upcoming events and giveaways.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

###

Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-672-9116, or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.