Were you aware that low and moderate-income students who have a college savings account, even with a balance of just $1 to $499, are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate?
That is a statistic that officials with the Marshall County Promise Program are aware of and that’s why they’re offering to help kick-start your kid’s college fund.
Triton Superintendent Jeremy Riffle noted that the local initiative, inspired by Indiana Promise, was first started in Bourbon by former Superintendent Donna Burroughs. The Marshall County Promise Program has grown in the three years since its implementation and the savings opportunity is now available to students who attend any of the schools within the county.
Riffle explained, “Any Kindergarten through third-grade student who enrolls in a Marshall County School is eligible to receive a $25 donation for signing up for the College Choice 539 College Savings accounts.”
A $25 donation will also be put into the accounts of returning students who signed up for the program last year.
Riffle noted that if a parent already created a 529 College Savings account for their child, they can fill out an “existing account form” to receive the donation from Marshall County Promise. There is no deposit required in order to receive the gift.
The purpose of the Marshall County Promise Program is to make it easier for families to establish college savings and to encourage young students to consider higher education as a realistic option early on.
In order to keep college and other post-secondary options on the front of their minds, children engage with a curriculum that contains college and career discovery in the classroom.
Additionally, students have the chance to venture to Ancilla for a sneak peek of a college campus during the “Walk into My Future” event. These are just a few ways that the Marshall County Promise Program helps highlight the importance of continuing education to students who are still in Elementary school.
The necessary paperwork will be available for parents during back-to-school registration. Be sure to have your child’s social security number on hand to complete the enrollment form. For more information or to sign up online visit MarshallCountyPromise.org.
