[YOUR ORGANIZATION’S NAME] PARTNERS WITH SCHOLARSHARE 529

TO HELPMORE FAMILIES START SAVING FOR COLLEGE

Eligible Families Could ReceiveUp To $225 In Incentives for Starting a College Savings Account

[City,] Calif.- With the goal of helping more familiesachieve the dream ofpursuing a higher education, [your organization’s name] announced today it has partnered with ScholarShare 529, California’s College Savings Plan, to offer several financial incentivesfor opening a ScholarShare 529 account and kick-starting the college savings process.

Starting January 1, 2018, the ScholarShare 529 Matching Grant Programwill give eligible families a dollar-for-dollar match up to $200 for opening new accounts and another $25 for establishing a monthly automatic contribution plan of $25 or more. To be eligible, families must be California residents, have valid Social Security Numbers or Federal Tax Identification Numbers, and earn $75,000 annually or less. The beneficiary of the account must be 14 years of age or younger.

“We are excited to partner with ScholarShare 529 in offering this great college savings program to families in our community,” said [ORGANIZATION’S REPRESENTATIVE]. “We think it will help them overcome the challenge ofrisingtuition costs and avoid excessive student loan debt, which are often the greatest obstacles for young people, especially those from low- to moderate-income households, as they pursue a higher education degree.”

Research has established a strong correlation between child savings accounts and greater educational and economic opportunity. One study by the Center for Social Development at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louisfound that children with college savings accounts in their name are nearly seven times more likely to attend college than children without an account.

The ScholarShare 529 Matching Grant Program was created to help families jump-start good savings practices.

“Like many other things in life, getting started is often the biggest challenge,” said [ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVE.] “That’s why [YOUR ORGANIZATION] is reaching out to families in our community because we know a higher education is a critical element in helping ensure our children have a bright future.”

ABOUT SCHOLARSHARE 529

ScholarShare 529 is administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, which is chaired by California State Treasurer John Chiang. To learn more about the ScholarShare 529 Matching Grant Program, visit