Submitted by Jeff Frese (not verified) on September 3, 2008 - 10:30am.
A universal platform for college savings would be in the best interest of the people. The Republicans and Democrats won't come together on this without a massive ground swell. The two parties don't serve the people, they serve special interesst. It's up to the American people to send a message to both parties about the growing cost of college problem.
In eighteen years the average four year college will cost over $300,000. 529s are somewhat complicated and picking the right plan is a daunting decision for most parents. 529s are the best vehicle for college savings yet they only have 13% penetration with parents who could have them. For the few parents who do have 529 plans it's very difficult to get help from the community if they want to contribute into the 529. I started a universal platform for allowing gifts into any 529 plan called Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com). It's like a registry for college savings. Parents go to the site, attach their 529, create a public profile and email friends and family a link where they can contribute directly into the child's 529 account in lieu of or in addition to the usual birthday/holiday gifts. Great for parents and great for gift givers and it's environmentally friendly gifting.
DISCLOSURE: I’m the founder of Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com). I was at my niece’s birthday party watching her tear through a pile of gifts taller than she was. At the end of the melee my gift was tossed aside into a pile of other forgotten gifts. I spent a lot of time and money selecting her gift and I thought it was a waste. I told her parents that from now on I was just going to contribute to her college savings. I asked them what website to go to in order to that and none existed. So I started Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com).
529 College Savings Gift Registry
A universal platform for college savings would be in the best interest of the people. The Republicans and Democrats won't come together on this without a massive ground swell. The two parties don't serve the people, they serve special interesst. It's up to the American people to send a message to both parties about the growing cost of college problem.
In eighteen years the average four year college will cost over $300,000. 529s are somewhat complicated and picking the right plan is a daunting decision for most parents. 529s are the best vehicle for college savings yet they only have 13% penetration with parents who could have them. For the few parents who do have 529 plans it's very difficult to get help from the community if they want to contribute into the 529. I started a universal platform for allowing gifts into any 529 plan called Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com). It's like a registry for college savings. Parents go to the site, attach their 529, create a public profile and email friends and family a link where they can contribute directly into the child's 529 account in lieu of or in addition to the usual birthday/holiday gifts. Great for parents and great for gift givers and it's environmentally friendly gifting.
DISCLOSURE: I’m the founder of Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com). I was at my niece’s birthday party watching her tear through a pile of gifts taller than she was. At the end of the melee my gift was tossed aside into a pile of other forgotten gifts. I spent a lot of time and money selecting her gift and I thought it was a waste. I told her parents that from now on I was just going to contribute to her college savings. I asked them what website to go to in order to that and none existed. So I started Freshman Fund (www.freshmanfund.com).